Capitol officer claims MAGA hat was part of ruse to rescue colleagues: report
By Jordan Williams - 01/15/21 02:44 PM EST
A Capitol Police officer who was seen wearing a “Make American Great Again†hat during last week’s breach of the U.S. Capitol says he wore it as part of an effort to rescue his colleagues, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
Officers told the newspaper that the officer, identified as Lt. Tarik Khalid Johnson, wore the MAGA hat so that he could win the trust of protesters, who he then used to help push his way through a crowd to rescue colleagues trapped inside the building.
The officers said his actions allowed a door to be closed, preventing more rioters from entering the building.
In video reviewed by the Journal, Johnson is seen in the MAGA hat asking for help as protesters scream “Fight for Trump.†After enlisting the help of two men, the group makes its way through the east steps of the Capitol, which were crowded by rioters.
Video also shows a brief struggle at the portico door just outside the Rotunda after some of the mob resisted the group getting in. One witness, photojournalist Chris Jones, says one of the men with Johnson faced to crowd, allowing him to make it into the Capitol.
Several minutes into the video, Johnson is seen exiting the Capitol with officers in body armor and riot gear.
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https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/534474-capitol-officer-claims-maga-hat-was-part-of-ruse-to-rescue
