Republican lawmakers are denying a report published by Rolling Stone that claimed they were involved with planning the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Two organizers of the January pro-Trump rallies in Washington, D.C., told the outlet they spoke with other members of Congress or their staffers, including Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
Boebert released a statement on Monday responding to the report.
“Let me be clear. I had no role in the planning or execution of any event that took place at the Capitol or anywhere in Washington, DC on January 6th. With the help of my staff, I accepted an invitation to speak at one event but ultimately I did not speak at any events on January 6th,” Boebert said.
She claimed the media “is acting as a messaging tool for the radical left,” adding, “The left falsely accused me of giving a reconnaissance tour. In reality, I was visiting the Capitol with my family.”
Concluding her statement, Boebert argued, “Rolling Stone is using anonymous sources and shoddy reporting to attack me.”
Gohmert also released a statement denying involvement in the planning of the event.
“No one in my office, including me, participated in the planning of the rally or in any criminal activity on January 6. We did not attend or participate at all,” Gohmert said.
He added, “For the purpose of a potential defamation lawsuit against those making baseless accusations of a crime, I need to know who these persons are who are alleging that I helped.”
ALSO, he appears poised to sue anyone who alleged his involvement:
— Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) October 25, 2021
“For the purpose of a potential defamation lawsuit against those making baseless accusations of a crime, I need to know who these persons are who are alleging that I helped.”
Greene told The Hill in a statement she and her staff “had nothing to do with the planning of any protest.”
Her office continued, “No one cares about Jan. 6 when gas prices are skyrocketing, grocery store shelves are empty, unemployment is skyrocketing, businesses are going bankrupt, our border is being invaded, children are forced to wear masks, vaccine mandates are getting workers fired, and 13 members of our military are murdered by the Taliban and Americans are left stranded in Afghanistan.”
The sources also told Rolling Stone they “interacted with members of Trump’s team, including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who they describe as having had an opportunity to prevent the violence.”
Gosar reportedly proposed a possible “blanket pardon.” He allegedly told the pair, “I was just going over the list of pardons and we just wanted to tell you guys how much we appreciate all the hard work you’ve been doing.”