Speaker Johnson Says Some Faces Are Blurred Out In January 6th Tapes

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has announced that the faces of individuals in the January 6 U.S. Capitol security footage will be blurred, citing protection against potential retribution or legal actions. Johnson emphasized the necessity of this measure during a House Republican briefing, noting the importance of preventing retaliation and DOJ charges against those visible in the footage.

The GOP-led House’s decision to release over 40,000 hours of footage to a website, barring sensitive security or potentially harmful content, stems from a commitment to transparency. Johnson’s initiative allows the public, media, and interest groups to form their own conclusions about the events of January 6, a day that has generated significant controversy and debate.

Despite the blurring, the Department of Justice had immediate access to the raw footage following the breach. This move aims to shield private citizens from repercussions by non-government entities while still allowing federal authorities to continue their investigations.

Raj Shah, Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications in the Speaker’s office, clarified that blurring faces in public viewing footage is a safeguard against retaliation from any non-governmental actors. The Justice Department has brought around 1,200 criminal cases related to the Capitol breach, utilizing the footage in their proceedings.

The release of the January 6 tapes is a part of a broader effort by House Republicans to challenge the narrative presented by the January 6 Committee. The committee, composed of seven Democrats and two Republicans, concluded with a recommendation of criminal charges against former President Donald Trump. Johnson criticized the committee for its partisanship and lack of transparency, suggesting that important evidence was concealed.

Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) accused the committee of failing to preserve crucial documents and recordings, a claim that committee chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) has denied.

The blurring of faces in the January 6 footage is a significant step in balancing the public’s right to information with the privacy and safety concerns of individuals involved in the events of that day.