Representative Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, has gained notoriety for his outlandish conspiracy theories. He has propagated false claims, such as the idea of “ghost buses” transporting agents provocateurs to the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to incite the riot. Despite these unsubstantiated theories, House Republicans have elevated Higgins to a position of power, making him the chairman of the subcommittee overseeing border enforcement and appointing him as one of the impeachment managers for the trial of the homeland security secretary. Higgins continues to spread baseless theories that cast law enforcement and the government in a negative light.
In a recent podcast interview, Higgins doubled down on his beliefs regarding the events of January 6, 2021. He claimed, based on his supposed investigation, that federal law enforcement officers entrapped former President Donald J. Trump’s supporters into participating in the violence at the Capitol. Higgins also propagated other conspiracy theories, such as linking the rise of the coronavirus pandemic to a government plot to manipulate pro-Trump online forums. These unfounded claims contribute to the ongoing false narratives surrounding the events of January 6 and serve as a rallying cry for right-wing Republicans to denounce the government and support Trump’s candidacy.
Higgins’ podcast appearance revealed a wide range of conspiracy theories that he has endorsed, including questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election and suggesting government involvement in the events of January 6. Despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the election, Higgins continues to push false narratives. He has even gone as far as to allege that federal law enforcement embedded themselves in various Trump supporter groups and instigated their actions on January 6. This narrative contradicts the fact that it was Trump himself who called for his supporters to gather in Washington that day.
While Higgins claims to have conducted his own investigation into the events of January 6, his theories have been debunked repeatedly. He asserted that once House Republicans release security footage of the attack, charges against January 6 defendants will crumble, labeling the incident as a plot to entrap “MAGA Americans.” Despite these unfounded claims, over 1,350 individuals have been charged in connection with the attack, with a variety of charges ranging from seditious conspiracy to mere trespassing. The Capitol footage also showcases the efforts made by police officers to protect the building from the violent mob.
The proliferation of falsehoods regarding the January 6 Capitol riot continues to be perpetuated by figures like Higgins, who hold positions of influence. The claim of “ghost buses” transporting provocateurs to the scene is just one example of the baseless theories being shared. While some attempt to shift blame onto federal law enforcement for instigating the violence, the facts indicate that the attack was, in fact, incited by Trump supporters responding to his call to assemble in Washington. Despite ongoing efforts to revise the narrative, the truth remains that the events of January 6 were a violent insurrection that resulted in injury and death.
