Ray Epps, the man accused of being involved with federal law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, has stated that Fox News host Tucker Carlson is "obsessed" with him and attempting to ruin his life. In an interview aired on Sunday night on CBS News' "60 Minutes," Epps addressed claims made by Carlson and other right-wing figures who have attempted to shift blame onto him for the violence that occurred during the protest.
Epps has become a target of conspiracy theories among some conservative circles, alleging that he attended the protest as an FBI informant in order to provoke supporters of former President Donald Trump into committing acts of violence. Prominent Republican lawmakers such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Rep. Matt Gaetz have propagated this debunked narrative.
During his interview on "60 Minutes," Epps was asked why he believed Tucker Carlson had taken such a keen interest in his alleged role in the events surrounding January 6th:
Epps also discussed a text message he sent to his nephew immediately following the riot:
While it's true that Ray Epps played no small part in encouraging protesters by urging them near Washington Monument to head towards Capitol Hill, there remains no concrete evidence supporting claims that suggest his involvement as an FBI informant or any ties with federal law enforcement agencies.
As accusations continue swirling around various individuals involved in last year's protest-turned-riot at Capitol Hill—including those directed against Ray Epps—it seems clear that political polarization will continue driving public debate regarding responsibility for these violent events even after many months since they first transpired.