National Review
GOP representatives deny giving ‘reconnaissance trips’ to Capitol protesters
Representatives Andy Biggs (R., Arizona), Mo Brooks (R., Ala.) And Paul Gosar (R., Arizona) are denying any involvement in organizing last week’s US Capitol riot after a protest organizer claimed that he “plotted” with them to put “maximum pressure on Congress while they were voting”. The right-wing activist Ali Alexander’s claim that he had conspired with congressmen came in a video that had already been deleted on Periscope, discovered by Project on Government Oversight. He said weeks before the Capitol invasion that he was planning something big for January 6, the date when Congress met to count electoral votes and affirm the victory of President-elect Joe Biden. Alexandre planned to “change the hearts and minds of the Republicans who were in that body, listening to our loud roar outside,” he said. Meanwhile, MP Mikie Sherrill (D., NJ) said on Tuesday that she saw members of Congress leading people across the United States Capitol on “reconnaissance” trips the day before President Trump supporters invaded the building, although she did not mention the members or explain how she knew she was witnessing a so-called reconnaissance trip. “We cannot have a democracy if members of Congress are actively helping the president to reverse the election results,” she said. “Not only do I want the president to be removed and never run for office again and not have access to classified material, I also want to see that the members of Congress who helped him; those members of Congress who had groups passing by the Capitol that I saw on January 5 – an acknowledgment for the following day; members of Congress who incited this violent crowd; members of Congress who tried to help our president undermine our democracy; I will see to it that they are held accountable and, if necessary, ensure that they do not serve in Congress ”. Sherill did not say whether the “groups” were Trump supporters or offered any additional information about the “recognition”. National Review contacted Sherrill for comment. A Biggs spokesman told the Washington Post that the congressman had never contacted Alexander or other protesters and denied involvement in organizing a rally on January 6. “Congressman Biggs is not aware of having heard of or met with Mr. Alexander at any time – let alone working with him to organize any part of a planned protest,” the statement said. Brooks on Wednesday also denied having any responsibility for the disturbances, saying he would not have encouraged any action that could undermine Republican efforts to block Biden’s victory. “I am so offended by anyone who insinuates that I am so inexperienced politically that I want to torpedo my accurate and honest electoral effort in which I have spent months fighting,” wrote Brooks. However, the Washington Post notes that videos and social media posts suggest links between Alexander, who is a criminal, and the three congressmen. Gosar called Alexander “a true patriot” on Twitter and the two spoke at a “Stop the Steal” rally in Phoenix last month. Patriots remain firm in their support for @realDonaldTrump and will not accept the theft of this election unintentionally. #StopTheSteaI @ali @MichaelCoudrey @michellemalkin @RudyGiuliani @JennPellegrino @RepAndyBiggsAZ pic.twitter.com/hhPltxHoXn – Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) November 30, 2020 At the same event, Alexander played a video message that he called Biggs, friend ”and“ hero ”. “When January 6 arrives, I will be downstairs in the house pit with my friend from the Alabama representative, Mo Brooks,” Biggs said on the tape. A Biggs spokesman told CNN that the congressman recorded the video at the request of Gosar’s team. Although Alexander expressed regret about the disturbances, saying in a video on Periscope that he wished people had not entered the Capitol or even climbed the stairs, before the unrest he seemed to endorse the suspension of vote certification by any means. If Democrats prevented Republican objections, “everyone can guess what me and 500,000 others will do with that building,” he wrote on Twitter in December, according to the Daily Beast. “1776 is * always * an option.” At a rally on the eve of the vote, Alexandre led a “Victory or death!” corner. However, he told the Washington Post that he “remained at peace” during the siege and said that his previous speeches “mentioned peace” and were being misrepresented. In a video posted shortly after the Capitol riots on January 6, while Alexander claimed that most of the protesters were peaceful and praised those who did not enter the building, he added: “I do not deny that. I do not report it. “