A vigil was held for those imprisoned in Washington, D.C. for their presence on January 6th. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) appeared, speaking with one of the prisoners and vowing to make Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) release the full, unredacted security tapes from the Capitol that day.
BREAKING: Congressman Gaetz attends vigil for mistreated J6 prisoners at DC Jail, pledging to hold @SpeakerMcCarthy to his promise to release the full J6 tapes. pic.twitter.com/pOWXmpaAEf
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) September 15, 2023
Rep. Gaetz first began by apologizing for the prisoners "having to endure this two-tiered justice system," and that he is among those who know they must "do more, and that we have not done enough."
He then said it was "critically important" for the January 6th security tapes to be released, accusing Speaker McCarthy of not fulfilling his promise to release them.
"I believe that it is critically important that we get a full release of the January 6th tapes as Speaker McCarthy promised. I do not believe that he has fulfilled that promise. I think that is dishonest, particularly to people who have borne the brunt of this two-tiered justice system. And I just wanted to come down here to say from my heart how much I appreciate those who are holding vigil and that I am committing to you directly that I am going to work to get these J6 tapes released if Kevin McCarthy wants to keep his job," said Gaetz.
Gaetz has advocated for the tapes' release since January, believing the full release will provide "exculpatory evidence" of the protestors and possibly show that federal agents enabled the violence.
In June, Gaetz demanded the censure of Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS) for his conduct as Chair of the J6 Committee. Rep. Thompson turned over Committee records to the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Congressional Clerk, leaving the Archives incomplete.
More recently, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) said in an interview with actor Russell Brand that January 6th was "not an insurrection" and that he would issue "aggressive pardons" upon assuming office if elected President.
