West Virginia GOP lawmaker Derrick Evans participated in an insurgency at the U.S. Capitol

by



[ad_1]

Republican Del. Derrick Evans, a supporter of President Donald Trump, recorded a live video on Facebook in which he can be heard shouting “We’re gone! We’re a baby!” while moving through a crowd of rioters as he walked through a door of the Capitol.

He denied taking part in the destruction and violence that left four dead and several police injured and has since deleted the clip, but not before it was shared on social media and released by CNN affiliate WCHS . In another video posted to his Facebook page Wednesday morning, Evans laughs as he predicts a riot.

“They’re making an announcement right now that if (Vice President Mike) Pence betrays us, you better think twice because we’re storming this building,” he says before laughing. “I’m just the messenger. Don’t hate me. I’m just telling you what I’m hearing right now on the pitch.”

Evans said later on Wednesday that he only filmed the event as an “independent member of the media to film the story”, although he does not appear to have any work experience as such. .

CNN called and emailed Evans for further comment and reached out to the West Virginia Republican Party.

In a statement Wednesday, West Virginia House of Commons Speaker Roger Hanshaw, a Republican, said he had not spoken to Evans and condemned the violence.

“I don’t know the specifics of his involvement, I’ve only seen what has been posted on social media so far, and I’m sure more details will be available soon,” he said. . “He will have to respond to his constituents and colleagues regarding his involvement in what happened today.”

The video of the lawmaker’s participation in the crowd sparked calls for his resignation and was criticized by lawmakers, including West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican.

“I don’t know this gentleman at all, but I think it’s a real shame,” Justice told WCHS on Wednesday. “From the perspective of a future delegate storming the capital of the United States of America, how could you approve of this?”

US Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, told the station that State House should “sanction” Evans for his actions which Manchin said “should not be acceptable to the government at any time.”

Dozens of charges are awaited in local and federal courts in DC, including up to 15 federal cases against those suspected of being involved in the most serious crimes that law enforcement officials have said Thursday on CNN.

Insurgency fueled by conspiratorial groups, extremists and fringe movements

The DC Metropolitan Police Department made 80 unrest-related arrests this week in downtown DC, including 68 arrests last night following an insurgency on the U.S. Capitol, according to a spokesperson for the Mayor of DC. the city, Muriel Bowser. Federal authorities have requested the public’s help in identifying those involved.

Former Washington, DC Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey, who is a law enforcement analyst for CNN, said Thursday that various charges could be laid against the rioters and Evans in particular, calling on prosecutors to use “the full extent of the law.”

Because Evans is an elected official, Ramsey explained, he should be censored or recalled for his involvement in addition to the criminal charges. Wednesday’s riot falls under sedition, Ramsey said, but added that it would ultimately be up to prosecutors to decide how they wanted to handle this.

“I take it that way, but it’s up to a federal prosecutor. I personally think it’s appropriate and it sends the right message,” he said.

CNN’s Evan Perez, Manu Raju, Ted Barrett and Peter Nickeas contributed to this report.

[ad_2]

Source link