Committee asks congressman why 'family' on Capitol tour took photos of areas 'not typically of interest to tourists'
The House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack is renewing its request for testimony from Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) who gave a tour of the Capitol complex on January 5 to about 15 people, despite the buildings being closed due to COVID. Rep. Loudermilk has released several changing stories about the tour, which he claims did not happen, then admitted did, but for “about a dozen people,” then later called them “a constituent family with young children,” then later again added they had some “guests” join them.
“Surveillance footage shows a tour of approximately ten individuals led by you to areas in the Rayburn, Longworth, and Cannon House Office Buildings, as well as the entrances to tunnels leading to the U.S. Capitol,” the Committee writes in a letter to Loudermilk (below).
The Committee adds that the individuals “on the tour photographed and recorded areas of the complex not typically of interest to tourists, including hallways, staircases, and security checkpoints.”
One “image shows an individual appearing to photograph a staircase in the basement of the Longworth House Office Building while you speak with others nearby.
At least one of the individuals on Loudermilk’s tour reportedly was caught on camera on January 6, one day after the tour, threatening lawmakers.
MSNBC/NBC News legal analyst Joyce Vance says this “renewed request” to Loudermilk “gives the basis for their belief he led tours that made it possible to overrun the Capitol.”
\u201cThe Select Committee renews request for information from Representative Barry Loudermilk.\n\nIn a letter to Loudermilk, Chair @BennieGThompson underscored the need to gather more info about certain individuals who were part of the tour through the Capitol complex on Jan 5, 2021.\u201d— January 6th Committee (@January 6th Committee) 1655301495
They also released video:
\u201cSurveillance footage shows a tour led by Loudermilk to areas in the House Office Buildings, as well as the entrances to Capitol tunnels.\n\nIndividuals on the tour photographed/recorded areas not typically of interest to tourists: hallways, staircases and security checkpoints.\u201d— January 6th Committee (@January 6th Committee) 1655302216
