National polling appears to back Republican arguments that the events of Jan. 6, 2021 are not yet fully understood. A sharp majority believes that elements of the federal government may have been in on the protests, including the move of some participants into the Capitol building.
The most recent poll lines up with conservative criticism of the federal response to the events of that day. According to a recent Rasmussen poll, more than 60% of Americans now believe that federal agents may have played a significant role in the protest.
Of the majority, 39% believe that it was “very likely” that federal agents had a hand in the events, while less than a third of the general public disagrees.
A large majority, including 57% of Democrats, believe that the chance of federal agents being involved in the events is at least “somewhat” likely.
A similar majority stated that it is vital for the public to see the security footage from that day, while fewer than 50% backed the efforts of the Jan. 6 House Select Committee.
The news also comes at a time of increased scrutiny of the protests on Jan. 6. This includes a considerable interest in the recently-released security footage of that day. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) released thousands of hours of the unedited footage to Fox News journalist Tucker Carlson.
The same poll cited above found 80% of the public supported the release of the footage.
Carlson announced that he would release portions of the tapes to the public in the coming weeks. The popular news host also said that the review of the tapes prove that the federal government has been “lying” to the public.
🚨BREAKING: Tucker Carlson promises to release exclusive January 6th tapes NEXT WEEK
"They are LYING."
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 3, 2023
When other news outlets released statements against McCarthy’s decision to share the tapes with Fox News exclusively, McCarthy said, “It almost seems like the press is jealous.”
The recent poll data and security tapes also highlight conservative concern that the events of the day have been politicized. They point to a number of prisoners still being held more than two years after the initial events of that day.
