White House declares Trump's nominee for Bureau of Labor Statistics was an onlooker during January 6th Capitol incident
News Article: Nominee for Bureau of Labor Statistics Spotted Near Capitol on January 6, 2021
E.J. Antoni, President Donald Trump's nominee for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was present near the Capitol on January 6, 2021, but he is not believed to have participated in the riots.
Footage posted online by the Republican-led Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight shows Antoni in the crowd outside the Capitol, walking away from the area as rioters breached police barricades. The video and surveillance footage do not depict Antoni participating in any demonstrations.
Antoni, an economist from the Heritage Foundation, was nominated to run the Bureau of Labor Statistics this week. It remains to be seen if his nomination will be confirmed by the Senate.
According to a White House official, Antoni was in Washington on January 6 for in-person meetings with his then-employer, located office blocks away from the Capitol. The official stated that Antoni did not cross any barricades.
The White House described Antoni as a "bystander" who wandered over after seeing news coverage of the events at the Capitol. Antoni declined to comment when reached by NBC News on Tuesday.
Numerous videos posted on social media show Antoni on the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. The footage appears to show Antoni leaving the grounds as people entered the Capitol and not entering the building. Antoni is also seen in surveillance footage posted online by the Republican-led Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight.
It is not clear if Antoni's presence at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, influenced his nomination. The events at the Capitol on that day were a result of a mob supporting President Trump's false claims of election fraud.
Antoni was the previous BLS head's replacement, as he was nominated after the president fired the previous BLS head. It is worth noting that the footage does not show Antoni crossing any barricades or participating in any illegal activities.
In summary, while E.J. Antoni was present near the Capitol on January 6, 2021, there is no evidence to suggest that he entered the Capitol building or engaged in illegal activities. The footage does not depict him participating in any demonstrations or crossing barricades. Whether his nomination will be confirmed by the Senate remains to be seen.
Read also:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
