GOP senator pushes second J6 conspiracy theory after first one gets quickly debunked

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) isn't backing down after a conspiracy theory he promoted about a convicted Capitol rioter being a secret federal agent was quickly debunked.

NBC News on Monday questioned Lee about his promotion of a false claim made on social media alleging that convicted Capitol rioter Kevin Lyons supposedly flashed a badge while in the Capitol, indicating that he was actually a law enforcement official.

In reality, the object seen in Lyons' hand was a vape.

When asked about this by NBC News, a Lee spokesman deflected from the question and began to push more conspiracy theories about the January 6th riots at the Capitol.

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"Senator Lee would like [FBI Director Christopher] Wray to answer important questions regarding the uncuffed rioter fist bumping Capitol police inside the building, the unidentified pipe bomber, and other individuals about whom the FBI and fraudulent January 6th Committee have shown a surprising lack of interest," they said.

However, NBC was quick to point out that the "fist bumping" Capitol rioter conspiracy theory had been debunked as well.

"The 'uncuffed rioter fist bumping Capitol police' is Jan. 6 Jared Luther Owens, who was charged last month," the report states. "Owens was one of several rioters who were released from custody on Jan. 6 because police officers were under violent attack at the Capitol, and did not have the resources to process the enormous number of rioters.

"Owens, a Trump supporter, allegedly assaulted law enforcement officers with a barricade on Jan. 6, and a Capitol Police officer arrested him after witnessing Owens "push another unidentified U.S. Capitol Police officer up against a wall" inside the Capitol, according to the FBI. A folding knife was found in Owens' right front pocket."