Republican mocked for 'ghost buses' claim that 'J6 was an FBI op'
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) is being mocked for repeatedly promoting the conspiracy theory that the January 6, 2021 insurrection was a Federal Bureau of Investigation operation, at least in part.
“Do you know what a ghost vehicle is? You’re the director of the FBI, you certainly should,” Congressman Higgins said to FBI Director Chris Wray during a November 15 House committee hearing. “Do you know what a ghost bus is? It’s pretty common in law enforcement. It’s a vehicle that’s used for secret purposes. It’s painted over.”
“These two buses in the middle here [points to photo] were the first to arrive at Union Station on January 6 at 05:00. I have all the evidence. I’m showing you these two buses are painted completely white,” he continued.
“These buses are nefarious in nature and were filled with FBI informants dressed as Trump supporters. They were deployed on our Capitol on January 6th. Your day is coming, Mr. Wray,” Higgins threatened.
Two weeks later, on November 15 he declared, “J6 was an FBI op,” meaning operation.
Despite the strong denial by Director Wray, Higgins is continuing his promotion of the conspiracy theory.
In an interview with far right wing reporter Lara Logan on Thursday, Higgins went much further.
In a short clip (below) from the 37-minute interview, Higgins claims, “those buses were removed from the Union Station. And we’re going to document all of that.”
“I feel very, very confident that that everybody that was on those two buses were FBI assets. And I have a high degree of belief that they were actual FBI agents. And I’m sorry to say ma’am, my objective conclusion is that senior officials at the, at the FBI, were deeply involved there. You had a combination of FBI confidential informants, either registered, un-registered, or volunteer informant, or actual FBI agents, dependent upon the group and how significant the group was.” He went on to claim some of the “informants,” or “agents” were “inserted” into Proud Boy groups, “those were most probably actual FBI agents, whereas some random Facebook group of patriots from Arizona or something would most likely [be] an informant.”
As a law enforcement officer before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Higgins “used unnecessary force” and “gave false statements” before he “admitted to striking a suspect in handcuffs,” according to the chief of police of Opelousas City, Louisiana. He resigned before he was disciplined, The Independent reported in 2016.
In a separate law enforcement stint his actions drew the concern of the ACLU after referring to suspects as “animals,” “thugs” and “heathens.” He also resigned from that assignment. As the New York Post reported: “Louisiana sheriff’s captain resigns, would rather quit his job than stop making ‘disrespectful,’ ‘demeaning’ comments.”
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As Higgins’ remarks spread on social media Friday, many derided him and his claims.
“This guy also has brain worms,” declared Higgins’ former Republican congressional colleague Adam Kinzinger.
“Ghost bus is the new Adrenochrome,” said former GOP Congressman Denver Riggleman, a national security expert, referring to a human chemical compound popularized via the QAnon conspiracy theory machine.
“He’s just the mouthpiece for the ignorant,” Riggleman added.
The U.S. Dept. of Justice reported that as of July 6, 2023:
“More than 1,069 defendants have been charged in nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia.”
“Approximately 350 defendants have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees, including approximately 110 individuals who have been charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.”
“Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted Jan. 6 at the Capitol, including about 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and about 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.”
“Approximately 594 individuals have pleaded guilty to a variety of federal charges, many of whom faced or will face incarceration at sentencing.”
“Approximately 160 have pleaded guilty to felonies. Another 434 have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors.”
Watch the videos at this link.
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