January 6 Panel Chairman Issues Warning Over Tucker Carlson Getting Tapes

The chairman of the n0w-defunct January 6 Committee warned of the “potential security risks” of U. S. Capitol security footage being released to the media.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) issued a statement hours after Axios broke the news that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) gave Fox News host Tucker Carlson access to 41,000 hours of Capitol surveillance footage from the Jan. 6, 2021 — the day a crowd of people entered the U. S. Capitol, disrupting lawmakers who were meeting to certify President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.

“When the Select Committee obtained access to U. S. Capitol Police video footage, it was treated with great sensitivity given concerns about the security of lawmakers, staff, and the Capitol complex,” Thompson said.

“Access was limited to members and a small handful of investigators and senior staff, and the public use of any footage was coordinated in advance with Capitol Police. It’s hard to overstate the potential security risks if this material were to be used irresponsibly,” he added.

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Statement from Rep. Bennie Thompson, who chaired the Jan6 committee, on @Axios report @SpeakerMcCarthy is giving special access to Jan 6 videos to Fox host. pic.twitter.com/Vsvbei7K6J
— Patricia Zengerle (@ReutersZengerle) February 20, 2023

A Fox News spokesperson confirmed the Axios report, which said excerpts will begin to air in the coming weeks, to the Daily Wire.

Tweets mentioned:

Statement from Rep. Bennie Thompson, who chaired the Jan6 committee, on @Axios report @SpeakerMcCarthy is giving special access to Jan 6 videos to Fox host. pic.twitter.com/Vsvbei7K6J
— Patricia Zengerle (@ReutersZengerle) February 20, 2023

J6 video tapes will also be available for all J6 defendants.

All 42,000+ hours.

Thank you Speaker McCarthy.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene???????? (@RepMTG) February 20, 2023

For all of you that doubted we would release the tapes.

Here you go!

I’m very happy to be right again in my support for Kevin McCarthy as our Speaker.

Americans deserve to see the truth, not a one sided narrative and unfair two tiered justice system.https://t.co/EkVvbTwxcP
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene???????? (@RepMTG) February 20, 2023

McCarthy giving 40,000 hrs of Jan. 6 tape to a pro-Putin journalist is an astounding ethical collapse. What security precautions were taken to keep this from becoming a roadmap for 2024 insurrection? Why isn’t it available to all media & public? Smell the MAGA propaganda coming.
— Rep. Jamie Raskin (@RepRaskin) February 20, 2023

This is an excerpt only. Read the full story here.