The Americans watched in horror. Then colleagues, friends and family began to point out the faces of people they knew, with whom they shared holidays, and, in the midst of a national security crisis, began to report them to federal authorities.
Although the motivations of the informants are unknown, Nathaniel Herr, an associate professor of psychology at American University in Washington, DC, said that probably many felt compelled to do something after authorities asked for help.
“When the FBI is making a call, it looks like ‘this is a legitimate place where I can finally report what has been bothering me for a long time,'” Herr told CNN. “I would bet that, in the experience of many reporters, it was something that had been brewing for a while and now it was like, ‘OK, someone is asking me for help’.”
‘Choose a side or die’
Jackson Reffitt told authorities that he heard his father admit that he went to the United States Capitol to “protect the country” and that he brought his gun with him. According to the statement, he said Guy Reffitt told them that the FBI was now watching him. The son also told investigators that his father said he would do “what he had to do” if Jackson Reffitt reported him to the authorities, the statement said.
Guy Reffitt also threatened his daughter, telling her that if she posted her comments on social media, he would “put a bullet” on her phone, the statement said, citing what Jackson Reffitt told investigators. According to the document, Guy Reffitt’s wife did not believe that he acted according to his words.
Guy Reffitt’s wife, Nicole Reffitt, told CNN in a statement that she is next to her family and called Reffitt “a loving husband, devoted father, loyal friend and passionate patriot”.
“Many statements were taken out of context,” said Nicole Reffitt in the statement. “I want to make it clear that none of those present during the conversation in question felt they were in danger or felt threatened. We have texts that prove it.”
Some were angry, she said, “but they never feared for their safety.”
“Our home has always been an open door for people who need a warm bed, peace or a simple hug. Our home welcomes people of all colors, beliefs and opinions,” said his statement. “The guy in particular listens to everyone and tries to understand all sides.”
Sarah Reffitt, Guy Reffitt’s 23-year-old daughter, told CNN that her father “would never harm or hurt anyone”, and added that she feels “betrayed” by Jackson Reffitt’s statements.
“My father is a good man who would always help someone in need, regardless of their political position, religion or ethnicity,” she said.
“I am disappointed that he made the decision to go there and risk his life and put other people in danger and put his family in this situation,” Jackson Reffitt told Cuomo. “It may be my fault for talking to the authorities, but I don’t want to think about it. He’s an adult and made his own decisions.”
His ex-wife told the FBI that she recognized him in a photo.
“I only know that when I saw that this was happening, I was afraid that he was there,” she told authorities, according to the statement. “I think you already know he was there. It’s such a good picture of him and I recognize his patch.”
Brock was accused of intentionally entering or staying in any restricted building or land without legal authority and an accusation of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. CNN contacted Brock and his lawyer, but received no response.
For some, a gradual change
For some informants, the riots were the culmination of a bewildering downturn, driven by conspiracy theories and radicalization on social media.
But reporting the behavior of a family member or friend is not easy, experts say, especially when many are unsure whether these activities will lead to violence.
“In the aftermath of all these cases of international terrorism that we would see, even people in the United States, and again family members, friends said the same thing: ‘I saw something that seemed out of the ordinary, but I didn’t know what that meant or didn’t know what it was and didn’t really want to confront that person, ‘”said Javed Ali, former senior director of counterterrorism at the National Security Council. “I think you are seeing the same phenomenon happening here.”
Jackson Reffitt said that in the past four years, he saw his father “grow like a snowball”, becoming more active online, more involved with groups including “far-right extremists”.
“He’s been a lot more, I don’t mean aggressive, but a lot more scared,” said Jackson Reffitt.
“He would never say the things he did to me a few years ago … not once did he think of anything like that,” he added.
Similar stories are spread by allegations by federal authorities.
CNN contacted Strong and his lawyer, but received no response.
“As someone who used to look at this phenomenon of radicalization more from the side of international terrorism, and see how people were equally radicalized or mobilized for violence, just as it happened on the sixth day, of the ideology of Al Qaeda and the ideology of ISIS, there are many parallels there with this world, “said Ali.
The fact that there are so many reports to the FBI about loved ones shows, he added, that “people’s antenna was on” and they saw things that “in retrospect made them think twice about the person they finally handed over”.