On January 6 of this year, a mob of pro-Trump extremists, prompted by former President Donald Trump's lies that the 2020 election was "stolen" by Democrats, stormed the United States Capitol in a deadly failed insurrection.
Many—including the impeachment managers for Trump's second Senate trial—have noted the rhetoric that inspired the insurrection was broadcast not only by Trump, but by Republican members of Congress who supported him, embracing the lie that the results of the 2020 election were illegitimate.
Democratic Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of California made waves this past March when her staff compiled a nearly 2,000 page report documenting the public social media posts of Republican lawmakers embracing Trump's election lies and promoting veiled calls for violence.
These lawmakers have disavowed the report and absolved themselves of any accountability for the role their militant rhetoric played in inciting the riots.
Ali Alexander—a chief organizer of the Stop the Steal Movement—said back in January that three GOP congressmen helped him plan the Save America rally, where thousands of Trump supporters gathered to hear then-President Trump and other far-right personalities speak. At Trump's direction, they would march to the Capitol shortly before the riots began.
The video of Alexander admitting this recently resurfaced online.
in case he takes the video down, here's the relevant sectionpic.twitter.com/IYiqxeX6Ch— Jason Paladino (@Jason Paladino) 1610139057
The Congressmen were Representatives Mo Brooks of Alabama, Andy Biggs of Arizona, and Paul Gosar of Arizona.
Alexander said in the days following the riots:
"We four schemed up of putting maximum pressure on Congress while they were voting."
With news that the FBI reported the Capitol Riots weren't pre-planned on a massive scale, Alexander's January admission unleashed a new wave of reactions.
How are any of them still free? #QrookedQuanticohttps://twitter.com/jason_paladino/status/1347647000922230784\u00a0\u2026— \ud835\udd3b\ud835\udd4c\ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd50\ud83e\uded0\ud835\udd39\ud835\udd43\ud835\udd4c\ud835\udd3c (@\ud835\udd3b\ud835\udd4c\ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd3d\ud835\udd50\ud83e\uded0\ud835\udd39\ud835\udd43\ud835\udd4c\ud835\udd3c) 1629491608
Ali Says "GOP Reps. #AndyBiggs, #MoBrooks, & #PaulGosar helped him plan it." They risked their positions, families & prison in their quest for power. They lost; the orange overlord was not crowned king - and now they await the #consequences. #Seditionhttps://www.businessinsider.com/stop-the-steal-organizer-gop-members-helped-him-plan-rally-2021-1\u00a0\u2026— SJinn (@SJinn) 1629938317
Ali Alexander Says 3 GOP Congressmen Helped Him Plan DC Rally\n\nDidn\u2019t \u2066@FBI\u2069 say the January 6th was not planned?https://www.businessinsider.com/stop-the-steal-organizer-gop-members-helped-him-plan-rally-2021-1\u00a0\u2026— Justinl040 (@Justinl040) 1629912549
Ali Alexander Says 3 GOP Congressmen Helped Him Plan DC Rally according to The Washington Post. \n\nMo Brooks, Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs are about to go through some things!! \n\n#DemVoice1https://www.businessinsider.com/stop-the-steal-organizer-gop-members-helped-him-plan-rally-2021-1\u00a0\u2026— Brenda\u2764\ufe0f46 - Build Back Better \ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udf77\ud83c\udfe1\ud83d\udca5\ud83c\udf79\ud83c\udfdd\ud83d\udceb (@Brenda\u2764\ufe0f46 - Build Back Better \ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udf77\ud83c\udfe1\ud83d\udca5\ud83c\udf79\ud83c\udfdd\ud83d\udceb) 1629909122
Social media users inundated the representatives with the receipts.
Resign, you seditious bootlicker.https://www.businessinsider.com/stop-the-steal-organizer-gop-members-helped-him-plan-rally-2021-1\u00a0\u2026— Allen Smithee (@Allen Smithee) 1629910452
@RepGosar @RepMoBrooks and @RepAndyBiggsAZ. We four schemed up putting maximum pressure on congress while they were voting..."https://twitter.com/jason_paladino/status/1347647000922230784\u00a0\u2026— Idealist_me (@Idealist_me) 1628897079
Hey Mo\u2026Ali says hi https://twitter.com/jason_paladino/status/1347647000922230784\u00a0\u2026— jEnNy H. (@jEnNy H.) 1629405539
Good morning traitor.https://twitter.com/jason_paladino/status/1347647000922230784?s=21\u00a0\u2026— SonnyinSeattle (@SonnyinSeattle) 1629898241
Your in troublehttps://www.businessinsider.com/stop-the-steal-organizer-gop-members-helped-him-plan-rally-2021-1\u00a0\u2026— phuckit (@phuckit) 1627597159
The House Select Committee is still investigating the origins of the riots.
@PreetBharara/X
@RepBrendanBoyle/X
@twesq/Bluesky
@christopherharris/Bluesky
@evangelinewarren/X
@FrankC164/X
AMC