GOP Rep. Ralph Norman Calls Jan. 6 'Made Up,' Says Riot Was 'Staged'

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told reporters on Thursday that he believes the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was "made up" and "staged," disputing widely shared video footage and eyewitness accounts of the event.

Norman made the remarks while responding to questions about a newly announced Department of Justice fund of $1.776 billion. The fund was created as part of a settlement in former President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the 2019 leak of his tax returns. The Justice Department described the money as intended "for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress," prompting reporters to ask whether people involved in the Jan. 6 riot could be eligible for payments.

NORMAN: Look, January 6th was an issue that was made up in the first place.

REPORTER: Made up, sir?

NORMAN: That was a staged thing from day one.

REPORTER: The riot was staged?

NORMAN: When you had police officers letting people in the building, when you had people that’s not being prosecuted—Ray, I forget his name. There’s no excuse for that.

REPORTER: Your colleagues, though, your Republican colleagues, ran for their life and barricaded themselves in their chamber. You think they were acting?

NORMAN: No, there was a riot there but it was a self-made riot by members who hate Trump. It was made up, in my opinion.

The public record contradicts Norman's claim. More than 140 law enforcement officers were reported injured during the Jan. 6 attack, with some sustaining traumatic brain injuries and other lasting ailments. Official estimates place damage to the Capitol at roughly $3 million.

Media coverage and independent investigations have repeatedly rejected conspiracy theories that the mob was secretly orchestrated by far-left groups. An NPR investigation headlined "Antifa Didn't Storm The Capitol. Just Ask The Rioters" found that many of the people charged publicly took responsibility for their actions, angered by attempts to blame antifa or Black Lives Matter.

For example, Jonathan Gennaro Mellis—charged with assault for allegedly attempting to injure police officers—wrote on Facebook: "Don't you dare try to tell me that people are blaming this on antifa and BLM. We proudly take responsibility for storming the Castle."

Note on Pardons: Some earlier accounts suggested an unusually large number of Jan. 6 defendants were pardoned. That specific figure is inaccurate or unverified; the administration issued pardons and commutations affecting a limited subset of individuals connected to Jan. 6 rather than the large number sometimes reported.

This report first appeared on Mediaite and was republished with additional context.