Two Democratic lawmakers named Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert as a potential suspect as the federal government investigates GOP lawmakers believed to have involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The insurrection left five people dead. Those involved could be charged with attempting to overthrow the U.S. government.
According to the lawmakers, Boebert was observed with a “large” group. They claim to have seen the group in a tunnel connected to the Capitol days before the pro-Trump riot.
Rep. Steve Cohen confirmed he and Rep. John Yarmuth saw Boebert in the tunnel outside the Cannon House Office Building three days before the insurrection. According to the Democrats, Boebert was accompanied by a large group of individuals.
“Congressman Yarmuth refreshed my recollection yesterday. We saw Boebert taking a group of people for a tour sometime after the 3rd and before the 6th. Now whether these people were people that were involved in the insurrection or not, I do not know,” Cohen said.
Boebert immediately disputed the allegations. “Rep. Cohen’s claim on CNN that he saw me give a reconnaissance tour with people not on the team is 100% false. I haven’t given a tour of the U.S. Capitol in the 117th Congress to anyone but family. Members of Congress have to elevate the discourse,” she said.
Rep. Cohen's claim on CNN that he saw me give a reconnaissance tour with people not on the team is 100% false. I haven’t given a tour of the U.S. Capitol in the 117th Congress to anyone but family. Members of Congress have a duty to elevate the discourse. https://t.co/ikPhhgNvoJ pic.twitter.com/yWz4YllumF
— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) January 18, 2021
What Are The Facts?
Due to COVID-19, the Capitol closed its doors to the public in March. Democrats made firm requests to congressional security officials. The team will investigate all “suspicious behavior and access given to visitors” before the riot. According to witnesses, an “extremely high number of outside groups” toured the Capitol.
On Jan. 6, Boebert refused to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. The Republican also tweeted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s location during the attack. As a result, Boebert’s spokesperson resigned immediately. Dozens of Colorado lawmakers are currently demanding that Lauren Boebert resign.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill observed “unnamed” colleagues leading “reconnaissance” tours on Jan. 5. Rep. Sean Maloney told MSNBC that a GOP lawmaker gave protesters a tour of the Capitol before the insurrection.
