House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is raising concerns about House Republicans' decision to give Fox News host Tucker Carlson access to thousands of hours of unreleased surveillance footage from the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
In a letter written to members of his caucus on Tuesday, Jeffries took aim at Carlson, who often downplayed the attack's severity, accusing him of promoting pro-Russian propaganda and arguing that the videos could pose a safety threat.
His remarks come shortly after Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) decided to grant Carson exclusive access to the footage, a move that comes in the wake of conservatives pushing him to release the video during his rocky road to the speakership.
KEVIN MCCARTHY OFFERS TUCKER CARLSON ACCESS TO FOOTAGE FROM JAN. 6 RIOTS
“I write with respect to public reports that extreme MAGA Republicans in the House have provided tens of thousands of hours of sensitive Capitol security footage to a FOX News personality who regularly peddles in conspiracy theories and Pro-Putin rhetoric,” he wrote.
“At present, we are working to confirm the precise nature of the video transfer, particularly as it relates to the events connected to the violent insurrection on January 6, 2021. The apparent transfer of video footage represents an egregious security breach that endangers the hardworking women and men of the United States Capitol Police, who valiantly defended our democracy with their lives at risk on that fateful day.”
Democrats point out that the Jan. 6 select committee consulted with the Capitol Police to ensure the footage released would not pose a risk to members or those who work on the Capitol campus.
“Over the past two years, the bipartisan Members of the January 6th Committee were able to diligently review the security footage in question, with numerous protocols in place to protect the safety of the Members, police officers and staff who were targeted during the violent insurrection. There is no indication that these same precautionary measures have been taken in connection with the transmission of the video footage at issue,” Jeffries said.
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“Unfortunately, the apparent disclosure of sensitive video material is yet another example of the grave threat to the security of the American people represented by the extreme MAGA Republican majority. Together, we will continue to defend our democracy and the well-being of the law enforcement community that protects the Capitol,” he said.
The New York Democrat said House Administration Committee ranking member Joe Morelle (D-NY) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) would brief members on the matter during a call on Wednesday.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger, when asked about McCarthy’s decision, told the Washington Post: “When congressional leadership or congressional oversight committees ask for things like this, we must give it to them."