Last Updated on February 21, 2023
Kevin McCarthy has handed over 41,000 hours of unreleased footage from January 6th 2021 at the U.S. Capitol to Fox News host, Tucker Carlson.
According to Axios, “the footage obtained by McCarthy is considered significant in the ongoing investigations into the events of the J6 Riot.”
Kevin McCarthy’s decision to use Tucker Carlson as a platform to release the footage has received criticism on both sides of the political spectrum.
According to the Axios report, “the decision to use Carlson as a platform to release the footage has been met with criticism by some, who argue that it is an attempt to manipulate the public’s perception of the events of J6.”
BREAKING: Tucker Carlson given 41,000 hours of January 6 surveillance footage by Kevin McCarthy https://t.co/FOfGt55HzB
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 20, 2023
A number of January 6 defendants have been calling for full footage disclosure since the incident, arguing that scores of protesters were escorted into the building. Previously released footage has shown exactly this happening, while the presence of federal agents has also been documented.
The 41,000 hours of footage is being analyzed by experts and journalists who are attempting to gain a deeper understanding of the events of January 6th.
Axios further reports, “the interpretation of the events depicted in the footage is subjective and depends on the viewer’s political views.”
With many counter protesters wearing MAGA gear to blend in, it’s important to identify exactly who is responsible for escalating violence in this instance.
This footage as well as the implications behind the delay in the release of this footage will have far-reaching impacts for future discussions and rulings in the ongoing cases of the January 6 defendants.