A new video has surfaced purportedly showing Ray Epps, an activist associated with the events of January 6th, 2021, imploring supporters of former President Donald Trump to storm the Capitol building. The footage was released by Truth in Media and allegedly shows Epps rallying the crowd at the “Stop the Steal” rally on the eve of the Capitol riot.
In the video, Epps allegedly declares to the assembly, “Tomorrow, we need to into the Capitol! Into the Capitol!” Some in the crowd responded with boos and chants of “Fed! Fed! Fed! Fed!” seemingly suspecting Epps of being a federal agent. Despite the resistance, Epps appears to insist that the crowd infiltrate the Capitol building “peacefully”.
The footage was captured by Anthime “Tim” Gionet, better known as right-wing influencer Baked Alaska. In January, Gionet was sentenced to 60 days in prison after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing inside a Capitol building.
In one part of the video, Epps is allegedly seen whispering to Gionet, “We’re not here to fight man. We’re here to storm the Capitol.” Gionet laughs off the idea, but Epps reportedly responds, “I’m not kidding.” Gionet then dismisses Epps with a farewell and an admonition to be safe.
Gionet later told journalist Lara Logan, referring to Epps’ instructions to enter the Capitol, “This is scripted because he said the same exact line word for word three times and that’s not natural.” In September, Epps pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted area.
Why was Ray Epps treated as victim by the same people who condemned almost everyone around him as a threat?
We try to answer some lingering questions about the one "election-denying-Donald Trump-supporter" the media and the government didn't seem to hate. pic.twitter.com/1u5dXtSGLv
— Truth In Media (@Truth_InMedia) November 3, 2023
Epps has consistently denied being an informant or a federal agent, both during testimony before the Jan. 6 House select committee and in a “60 Minutes” interview. This newly surfaced footage adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation and public discourse surrounding the events of January 6th.
While the video cannot conclusively prove Epps’ intentions or affiliations, it does highlight the charged atmosphere leading up to the Capitol riot. The reactions from the crowd also underscore an underlying suspicion of federal involvement, further complicating the narrative of that fateful day.