Media Outlets Demand Jan. 6th Tapes that McCarthy Gave Tucker After Ignoring Them for Two Years

Several media organizations have demanded the release of video footage from January 6, 2021, that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy allegedly shared with Fox News personality Tucker Carlson.

The organizations, including CNN, The New York Times, and The Associated Press, argue that the videos are public records and should be made available under the Freedom of Information Act.

The footage reportedly shows the events that took place during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building, and its release could shed light on the actions of those involved.

Attorney Charles Tobin wrote, “Without full public access to the complete historical record, there is concern that an ideologically-based narrative of an already polarizing event will take hold in the public consciousness, with destabilizing risks to the legitimacy of Congress, the Capitol Police, and the various federal investigations and prosecutions of January 6 crimes.”

McCarthy has refused to release the videos, citing concerns about the impact they could have on ongoing investigations.

Former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell explained, “If Speaker McCarthy really wants to be transparent, he would have given the videos to all news outlets and not just the entertainers at Fox News.”

McCarthy said, “I was asked in the press about these tapes, and I said they do belong to the American public. I think sunshine lets everybody make their own judgment.”

The footage reportedly shows the events that took place during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building, and its release could shed light on the actions of those involved. McCarthy has refused to release the videos, citing concerns about the impact they could have on ongoing investigations.

The U.S. Capitol Police chief said, “When Congressional Leadership or Congressional Oversight Committees ask for things like this, we must give it to them.”

McCarthy’s decisions have upset a lot of political figures on the Left.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Carlson is “FOX News personality who regularly peddles in conspiracy theories and Pro-Putin rhetoric.”

Another anonymous House Democrat told CBSNews that there is “deep, deep concern” about McCarthy and his security decisions regarding the incident.

CBS News explained:

A similar media coalition successfully sought release of some Justice Department video court exhibits in Jan. 6 prosecutions, including police body camera footage and surveillance video that shows the violence and attacks directed at police. Hours of footage, which was submitted to or shown in open court in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, has been regularly shared with the media coalition. The footage has helped prosecutors secure hundreds of guilty pleas and partial or full convictions in nearly every jury trial in U.S. Capitol cases.

The Justice Department continues to seek to limit open testimony and cross-examination about the location of Capitol Police surveillance cameras.

In a court filing in a felony case against an accused rioter from Florida, the agency said, “U.S. Capitol Police’s surveillance system also serves an important, and ongoing, function in protecting Congress and, by extension, national security. In particular, the footage from the system is subject to limitations and controls on access and dissemination.”