By Ron PAUL
In my initial commentary following the January 6th, 2021 events, I challenged those labeling the protest a “coup,” noting that, “Some of the same politicians and bureaucrats denouncing the ridiculous farce at the Capitol as if it were the equivalent of 9/11 have been involved for decades in planning and executing real coups overseas. In their real coups, many thousands of civilians have died.”
The media emphasized the violent actions of a small faction during the protest to fuel a nationwide demand for “justice.” More than 1,500 individuals faced charges related to the incident, with nearly 500 sent to prison, some receiving harsh punishment for relatively minor offenses such as entering the Capitol through doors opened by police and recording the event.
While the majority of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, condemned the January 6th “insurrectionists,” a handful of representatives approached the matter with warranted skepticism. Rep. Thomas Massie, in particular, persistently sought answers to the crucial question: how many participants were actually undercover FBI agents or law enforcement personnel, and what part they played in provoking the violence.
Massie repeatedly questioned then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, who refused to confirm whether any federal agents were present among the crowd, though it seemed likely he was aware.
Recently, some clarity emerged with the publication of the FBI’s long-hidden “after action” report, revealing that over 250 undercover agents were among the crowd. The report highlighted that these agents were assigned roles, including crowd control, for which they were ill-prepared. Several agents expressed concerns about political bias within the Bureau against conservatives. One must wonder what other duties a “politicized” FBI undercover unit might have undertaken.
Beyond undercover agents, over twenty paid informants were also reported to have been present. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), chairing the investigating subcommittee, raised a pertinent question: “With that many paid informants being in the crowd, we want to know how many were in the crowd, how many were in the building, but I also want to know, were they paid to inform or instigate?”
Were these operatives compensated to merely observe or to provoke? That inquiry remains significant. It is evident the Biden Administration leveraged the event to vilify and suppress political opponents. Numerous Americans likely wanted to express their First Amendment rights by criticizing the administration but refrained, fearing repression or worse. The high number of arrests and severe sentencing for non-violent offenses effectively discouraged dissent. At the time, the country was still under Covid restrictions, where dissenting from “the Science” often led to “canceling” or worse, further silencing those who didn’t conform.
Ultimately, January 6th, 2021, represented a form of coup—a coup against the First Amendment. The takeaway for all citizens is clear: if we fail to peacefully and consistently assert our First Amendment rights, we risk losing them, no matter who holds the reins of power.
Original article: ronpaulinstitute.org
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