Jan. 6 Conspiracy Theory Centers on Baseless Claim About Ray Epps
Quick Take
James Ray Epps was at the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. But there is no evidence that he was an FBI plant assigned to instigate the riot, as a conspiracy theory — embraced by at least two members of Congress — claims. There is evidence, however, that Epps once held a leadership role in the Oath Keepers, some of whose members have been charged in the attack.
Full Story
Supporters of then-President Donald Trump caused a deadly riot as they tried to stop the certification of electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2021. But some high-profile conservatives have been promoting a conspiracy theory that the violence was, instead, the result of a secret government plot.
At the center of the conspiracy theory is James Ray Epps, 60, who owns a wedding venue outside of Phoenix, Arizona.
The FBI added Epps’ picture on Jan. 8 to a list, shared on Twitter, of those it sought for more information about the riot.
On Jan. 11, Epps told the Arizona Republic that he had been there.
Videos on social media from Jan. 5 and 6 also appear to show Epps in Washington, D.C. In one widely viewed video from the night of Jan. 5, Epps tells a crowd, “In fact tomorrow … we need to go into the Capitol.”
When asked about that clip by the Arizona newspaper, Epps said, “The only thing that [I] meant is we would go in the
