Washington D.C. (July 23, 2024) | This week, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Chairman of the Committee on House Administration's Oversight Subcommittee wrote United States Capitol Police (USCP) Chief J. Thomas Manger to request records and information relating to USCP's investigation into the gallows assembled on the Capitol Grounds on January 6, 2021.

Since January 6, 2021, photos and videos of the gallows have been widely circulated and featured prominently by the Democrats' former January 6 Select Committee and even by President Biden in his short-lived reelection campaign.

Despite this, there are very few answers as to who is responsible for the gallows' construction. The individuals captured on CCTV have never been identified, and it remains a mystery why the gallows were allowed to be assembled and stay in place for such a long time.

BACKGROUND

On the morning of January 6, 2021, a group of unidentified individuals constructed a gallows on Capitol Grounds. Between 6:30 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. that morning, the group constructed the platform and two main pillars of the gallows, only leaving off the crossbeam. Around this time, two individuals left the area, walking north on Third Street. They returned shortly after that and then subsequently left Capitol Grounds.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., the group returned to the site of the partially erected gallows and completed its construction by adding the crossbeam and a noose made of bright orange rope. After completing its construction, the group of individuals left the area. The gallows remained intact until approximately 9:15 a.m. on January 7.

After January 6th, the noose from the gallows was recovered by an Australian journalist and turned over to the FBI. However, three years later, the FBI still has no suspects.

The Capitol Police Guidelines for Conducting an event on United States Capitol Grounds explicitly state, "(t)emporary structures of any kind may not be erected on Capitol Grounds," which would imply that a gallows-a temporary structure-may not be allowed on Capitol Grounds and would immediately be addressed and/or removed once discovered. However, these gallows were left untouched by USCP officers from 6:00 a.m. on January 6 until the next morning.

Photos of persons of interest can be found below. If you have any information regarding the January 6 gallows, please contact [email protected].

To read the full letter, click here.

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