DALLAS — Pro-Donald Trump social media personality and Jan. 6 riot defendant Brandon Straka confronted Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) onstage at “CPAC: Texas” on Friday, arguing lawmakers have not done enough to help such defendants, to the cheers of attendees at the conservative conference.
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Jan. 6 riot defendants were painted as victims and political prisoners by the panel.
Straka told the conference that he attended the riot and was on the steps and was later arrested and held on felony charges. He attended the conference with what he called “performance art,” sitting in a cell while crying, accompanied by audio recordings of the riot defendants describing their arrests.
He said he has been banned from certain social media platforms and is subject to additional screenings at airports.
Straka pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of engaging in disorderly and disruptive conduct in the Capitol Building or grounds, avoiding jail time and receiving 90 days of home confinement and three years probation at his sentencing. It was later reported he provided “significant information” about pro-Trump “Stop The Steal” organizers, including Ali Alexander, Amy and Kylie Kremer, and Cindy Chafian, providing information that was “valuable in the government’s prosecution.”
But Straka’s case is coming under new light because some of his comments appear to differ from what he said under oath. Straka told the crowd they are still “going after” him.
Re-upping Brandon Straka’s video here, which was court evidence for his sentencing.
He admitted in court that he encouraged the mob to steal the officer’s shield in this video, but has since heavily suggested that he was actually lying to the court, but not lying now. https://t.co/ffTiNpIvZO
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 5, 2022
“So, while we have a congressman onstage, I’m going to ask, what are you going to do about it?” Straka asked Biggs, to applause from the audience.
Congressman Biggs is now getting heckled by members of the crowd who view people charged for January 6 crimes as political prisoners after Straka says no sitting congressman has tried to help him.
“Try harder!” pic.twitter.com/NJDCm3bwPI
— steven monacelli (@stevanzetti) August 5, 2022
Biggs appeared momentarily speechless before saying he “appreciated the frustration,” arguing that he criticized “what happened to you and other Jan. 6 defendants.”
Biggs said what happened to Straka was “unjust.”
Kash Patel, former chief of staff to then-acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, jumped in to argue Biggs was among lawmakers “fighting for” riot defendants and “the Jan. 6 movement.”
But Straka continued to push Biggs, to applause.
“Where the hell is our team?” Straka asked.
“I appreciate that I’m your pinata today,” Biggs said.
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The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot said Biggs was among Republican lawmakers who sought presidential pardons for the events surrounding the event, which Biggs has denied.
