'Fed, fed, fed': GOP lawmaker repeats Ray Epps conspiracy theory at congressional hearing
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) used a congressional hearing on Wednesday to spread a conspiracy theory that the FBI was behind the Jan. 6 riots.
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Nehls berated FBI Director Christopher Wray and faulted the size of the Jan. 6 investigation.
"Again, the biggest investigation, not one time in your 14-page testimony — you don't mention it one time," the Texas Republican pointed out. "And that makes me ask myself the question, what the hell are you hiding?"
Nehls played several video clips of Ray Epps, a victim of conspiracy theories about Jan. 6. Many supporters of former President Donald Trump believe Epps was a federal informant and incited the attack as a false flag operation.
"Mr. Wray, you have arrested hundreds of people related to January 6th, and there have been people arrested for breaching Capitol grounds," he ranted. "Are you going to arrest Mr. Epps, yes or no?"
"I'm not going to engage here in a discussion about individual people who are or are not going to be prosecuted," Wray stated.
"He's encouraging; I almost think he's inciting a riot," Nehls opined. "He's encouraging people the night prior to going into the Capitol, the day of, go into the Capitol. And he was at the first breach, and he breached the restricted area."
"Everybody, a lot of people getting arrested for not going into the Capitol ... but yet Ray Epps, who many people feel fed, fed, fed, right?" he added. "I will tell you, Mr. Wray, if you don't arrest Mr. Epps, there's a reason behind it. I believe you know what it is. And it appears to me you are protecting this guy."
Epps has said he received death threats and was forced to live in an R.V. because of the conspiracy theory. The Jan. 6 Committee reported that it could not find evidence that Epps was a federal informant.