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Is Ray Epps an FBI informant? Adam Kinzinger dismantles theory as panel dismisses it

Kinzinger slams theory Epps was an FBI insider involved in Jan 6 insurrection, says 'this is why we have to address conspiracies'

Conspiracy theorists hoping that an alleged FBI informant would flip the January 6 investigation were left disappointed after he told the House Select Committee he had no ties to either the FBI or other law enforcement bodies. The Arizona man, identified as Ray Epps appeared before the committee earlier, a spokesperson confirmed and added that he had been cleared. Taking to Twitter, Rep Adam Kinzinger also downplayed the Epps theory after it was brought up by Republicans again on January 11, 2022.

During a Senate hearing that day, an FBI nation security branch official Jill Sanborn was repeatedly asked about Epps' role during the coup attempt, including by Sen. Ted Cruz. Despite the repeated efforts, Sandborn responded by saying "I can't answer that". When asked by Sen Tom Cotton, Sandborn responded with, "I simply don't have any information at all, senator, about that individual."

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Sandborn's responses led to claims the insurrection was indeed orchestrated by the FBI and was being covered up. However, a short while later, Kinzinger took to social media to specifically address the Epps theory, tweeting amongst other things, "I’m pretty sure the FBI wouldn’t be dumb enough to put their own agent on a wanted list."

Is Ray Epps innocent?

The Epps theory gained steam late last year after it emerged he had been removed from the FBI's wanted list of those involved in the January 6 insurrection. From fringe conspiracy theorists to Fox News, Republicans widely claimed it was because the FBI was trying to cover up its role in the insurrection. However, there was never any concrete proof of those claims, and now it appears the committee has ended them once and for all.

"The Select Committee has interviewed Mr Epps," a spokesperson told CNN, adding, "Mr Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on January 5th or 6th or at any other time and that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency." It's unclear when Epps appeared before the committee, but the confirmation was made to CNN on January 11, 2022. 

To further downplay the theory, Kinzinger took to Twitter to reveal more about Epps. In an eight-tweet thread, he said amongst other things, "He didn’t enter the Capitol on Jan 6, and was removed from the most wanted list because apparently he broke no laws," and "Ray Epps has cooperated with the Jan 6 committee and we thank him." He also took a dig at Sen Cruz, tweeting, "An informant is not an agent. But Ted wants you to think it is. RAY is NO informant either."

Kinzinger concluded the thread by acknowledging the many conspiracy theories around the insurrection, saying, "the narrative on Jan 6 has been that its first antifa, or patriots who love their country, maybe crisis actors, def false flag operatives, or now FBI agents. Take your pick. Truth is they were rioters incited by lies. And RAY is no fed. Just another misled man."

From Kinzinger's tweets, we can conclude that while Epps was indeed a staunch pro-Trump ally, he did not storm the Capitol on January 6, which itself renders the theory moot. It's only being kept alive because of Senators like Cruz and Cotton, while the Select Committee gets increasingly close to Donald Trump with each day. In the latest round of subpoenas, the committee requested Ross Worthington (former White House official) and Andy Surabian, and Arthur Schwartz (aides to Donald Trump Jr.).