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Internet Erupts After Ray Epps Is Charged with a Single 'Lame' Misdemeanor Over January 6 Actions

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The Department of Justice on Monday filed one misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct against Ray Epps, an Arizona man captured on video encouraging protesters to go into the Capitol the night before the Jan. 6, 2021, incursion.

Epps was also allegedly seen on video on the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 itself, speaking to protesters right before they broke down barricades.

Many responded on social media, arguing the misdemeanor count — rather than more serious charges like those filed against other Jan. 6 defendants — was evidence that Epps was in fact somehow working with the federal government during the protest. Epps and the FBI denied this was the case to CBS News in April.

American Greatness reporter Julie Kelly, who has extensively covered the January 6 defendants’ trials, published a post on X, formerly Twitter, in response to the charge, which was contained in a criminal “information” filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

“This lame single charge tells us everything we need to know about Ray Epps. No obstruction felony? No civil disorder charge? Not even a trespassing on restricted grounds misdemeanor?” she wrote.

“Can’t even tell you the last time I saw an ‘information’ (misdemeanor version of indictment) for a J6er on a sole count. Not sure it exists but will check.”

Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk posted, “Not suspicious at all! Nearly 3 years after J6, Ray Epps is finally charged … with ‘disorderly conduct.’

Does this charge settle the Ray Epps issue?

“That’s right. The man who yelled for people to storm the Capitol, who was video taped multiple times actually trying to incite a riot, somehow avoids seditious conspiracy with no terrorism enhancement while people who never entered the Capitol are rotting away in a DC jail”

“Everything is on the level folks.”

Another responded, “All of those who are serving hard time for J6 should be outraged at this. Ray Epps is on video directing people during J6. Banana Republic.”

Related:
Jan. 6 Prisoner Gets His Sentence Reduced Thanks to Supreme Court Ruling

Conservative commentator Darren Beattie posted, “Charging Ray Epps now for ‘disorderly conduct’ is not going to make the Feds’ credibility problem go away It’s too late for them. This is just making them look desperate.”

NBC News reported that Epps’ alleged conduct on Jan. 6 and the night before “sparked conspiracy theories that he was a federal informant.”

“The unsupported notion that Epps was some sort of government agent who was inciting the mob to storm the Capitol has become widely accepted in right-wing circles, and even members of Congress have raised the Epps case during congressional hearings,” the news outlet added.

In January 2022, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz pressed then-FBI Assistant Executive Director Jill Sanborn on whether Epps had been working with the bureau during the Capitol incursion.

“Did any FBI agents or FBI informants actively encourage and incite crimes of violence on Jan. 6?” Cruz asked.

“Sir, I can’t answer that,” Sanborn said.

“Ms. Sanborn, who is Ray Epps?” the senator then asked.

“I’m aware of the individual, sir. I don’t have the specific background to him,” Sanborn answered.

Cruz recounted that Epps was captured on video among a crowd in Washington, D.C., the night of Jan. 5, 2021, yelling, “Tomorrow, we need to get into the Capitol! Into the Capitol!”

It was such strange behavior, the senator observed. People yelled back, “No!”

They then started chanting, “Fed, Fed, Fed!”

GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky posted a video of it in October 2021 and tweeted, “I just played this video for AG Merrick Garland [during a House hearing]. He refused to comment on how many agents or assets of the federal government were present in the crowd on Jan 5th and 6th and how many entered the Capitol.”

So the attorney general himself would not answer the question either.

During his continued questioning of Sanborn, Cruz asked directly, “Was Ray Epps a fed?”

“Sir, I cannot answer that question,” Sanborn responded.

Cruz next showed photographs allegedly showing Epps whispering to some protesters, who then proceeded to tear down a barricade around the Capitol.

“Did Mr. Epps urge them to tear down the barricades?” he asked.

Once again, Sanborn said she could not answer the question.

Finally, Cruz pointed out that Epps was originally among those pictured on an FBI wanted notice in the days immediately after the incursion.

In fact a cash reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of Epps, the senator said.

However, “magically,” by July, Epps had disappeared from the public posting, Cruz noted.

CBS News reported in April that Epps was removed from the wanted list after the FBI questioned him, which does raise questions why the DOJ decided to charge him on Monday.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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