Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA; profile here) has been accused of leading a “reconnaissance tour” of the Capitol complex by rioters mapping entry and escape routes a day before the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. He denies that, but has refused to cooperate with the House investigation.
It’s undisputed that he hosted a group tour of Capitol office buildings on Jan. 5, 2021, but he’s referred to them as a “peaceful church group,” although Yahoo News notes (here) that particulars of his story have changed over time.
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, the Chief of Capitol Police seemed to exonerate Loudermilk by issuing a letter that “concluded after reviewing security footage that ‘there is no evidence’ GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk led a reconnaissance tour with Trump supporters trying to learn more about the Capitol complex the day before the deadly January 6 insurrection,” CNN reported (see story here).
That finding immediately came under fire. Former DC Metro police officer Michael Fanone, who was severely injured in the riot, called it “incredibly irresponsible” (see story here), and Democrats produced video showing members of the group photographing tunnels and entrances (see story here). It also turns out at least one person in the group participated in the riot and made threats against Democratic members of Congress (details here).
Loudermilk is a plausible suspect. He voted against certifying the election, signed on to a lawsuit challenging the results, and initially denied the tour even happened, which was a lie. Clearly, the chief’s letter isn’t the final word in the matter, and further investigation is warranted.
Photo below: Rep. Loudermilk and the “tour group”
