Investigations surrounding January 6—when a mob of pro-Trump extremists who fell for Trump's election lies launched a deadly failed insurrection against the U.S. Capitol—are still underway. Hundreds of rioters have been arrested and the House Select Committee on the riots continues to request documents and call officials in for questioning.
Though Republicans have repeatedly dismissed the severity of the riots, what's been practically unanimous among lawmakers is the response of the Capitol and D.C. Metro police officers who fought off rioters during the insurrection, saving the lives of multiple lawmakers.
But not every Capitol officer is getting rewarded—at least six are facing discipline.
Among those six was an officer reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by his friend of 40 years, according to McClatchy. The unnamed officer divulged to the friend the secure location where lawmakers took refuge as rioters infiltrated the Capitol.
The friend believed the officer was on the side of the rioters, writing to the FBI:
"I don't want to report a friend of forty years but [he] says enough concerning statements that I feel like I need to do this... he's just fallen into this cult and these beliefs."
Though the officer denied being ideologically aligned with the rioters, he told the FBI:
"I can't say one hundred percent that I didn't do what you're telling me I did."
Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a favorite enemy of the right, faced widespread mockery earlier this year for describing her traumatic time during the riots, especially the moment a Capitol Police officer, who didn't announce himself, entered her nearby office as rioters were storming the main Capitol building.
She said in the weeks after the riots:
"Like so many other communities in this country, just that presence doesn't give you a clear signal if you're safe or not, so the situation did not feel OK. ... [the officer] was looking at me with a tremendous amount of anger and hostility. We couldn't read if this was a good situation or a bad situation."
Ocasio-Cortez pointed to this latest news for those who had criticized her account of the riots.
She wasn't the only one with a strong reaction to the news.
The call was coming from the inside. It’s time to acknowledge it. https://t.co/WZo6bYP1MF— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1631729776.0
It was very clear from the start of the insurrection that something was horribly wrong with the Capitol Police resp… https://t.co/76HC9owZrs— Charles Johnson (@Charles Johnson) 1631756973.0
Every so often I think about the woman who tweeted, “Do y’all really think the police were in on Jan. 6?” and I rep… https://t.co/NJOioDn8D7— Eric Haywood (@Eric Haywood) 1631761935.0
This story is chilling. The casual way the red-pilled officer claims that he may or may not have tipped off the Cap… https://t.co/KQdhpwBPc6— The Rhythm (Cancel Creature) (@The Rhythm (Cancel Creature)) 1631723583.0
you've got to be $%^&ing kidding me https://t.co/iORiRe8lSf— National Security Counselors (@National Security Counselors) 1631729563.0
It is time for criminal charges of Sedition. His willingness to disclose confidential information about Congress me… https://t.co/ZCi7BktrRg— Snarky Shana (@Snarky Shana) 1631791369.0
They also defended Ocasio-Cortez.
So.... all the people who mocked @AOC when she said she was afraid of both the insurrectionists & Capitol Police Of… https://t.co/higSYIPQ2o— Danielle Campoamor (@Danielle Campoamor) 1631726469.0
I mean AOC, Ayanna Pressly & others told you there was a larger problem. And you know...we could see it on screen https://t.co/gL5MEu98m4— Mikki Kendall (@Mikki Kendall) 1631761808.0
remember when AOC said on one of the capitol officers directing her to a safe location had anger and hostility in h… https://t.co/tk5M1AZHqL— 🍂🍂Imani Gandied Apples🍁🍁 (@🍂🍂Imani Gandied Apples🍁🍁) 1631726188.0
The news comes just days ahead of a rally in front of the Capitol supporting the insurrectionists.