House Republicans are now taking a stand for transparency and accountability by granting access to security footage from that fateful day. The House Republicans, led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), have made it their mission to bring transparency and accountability to the People’s House. In a statement, Rep. Loudermilk expressed their commitment to increasing access to security footage from January 5th and 6th, 2021. This move is aimed at countering the alleged politicization of the events by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and the January 6th Committee.

To ensure fair and controlled access, the Committee on House Administration has published guidelines for viewing the footage. Members of the U.S. media, government-focused nonprofit organizations, and attorneys representing defendants facing charges related to the January 6 incident can submit requests to view the footage. This step allows qualified individuals to independently assess the events of that day and dispel any doubts.

The guidelines for accessing the security tapes are designed to strike a balance between transparency and security. Those seeking access must set up an appointment, which limits them to three hours of viewing time per session, once a week. This controlled approach ensures that the footage is not misused or exploited.

It is important to note that spectators are strictly prohibited from recording the tapes from the secured terminals inside the Capitol building. This measure prevents unauthorized distribution and preserves the integrity of the footage. Furthermore, viewers may only be given portions of the footage at the discretion of the committee, ensuring that sensitive information is not exposed unnecessarily.

This announcement by House Republicans stands in stark contrast to past practices, where access to the footage was limited and carefully edited clips were shown to the public. This selective editing raised concerns among U.S. citizens, who called for the release of the full footage to avoid media bias and curations that may distort the timeline of events.

Here’s the instructions on how to see January 6th Capitol video footage and who is allowed access. pic.twitter.com/7N3Rm4SU0F

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) September 3, 2023

Earlier this year, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) made headlines when she announced that three news media outlets had received footage from the Capitol breach. This move was aimed at providing the American people with more transparency about the events of that day. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) granted “unfettered access” to investigative journalist John Solomon, senior writer Julie Kelly, and an unidentified third news outlet.

Despite the efforts of House Republicans to promote transparency, the release of the footage has not been without controversy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) expressed concerns about the potential security risks associated with releasing the footage to certain news outlets. In a letter to Senate Democrats, Schumer claimed that the release of the footage could compromise the safety of the Legislative Branch and potentially lead to another attack on the Capitol.

The release of the footage to Fox News host Tucker Carlson sparked a political backlash. Schumer called for Carlson to be taken off the air, and other reporters criticized House Speaker McCarthy for granting Carlson’s team access to the video. Schumer’s accusations focused on the potential risk of exposing sensitive security information to the public and the implications it could have on the safety of Congress.

The decision to grant access to the January 6 Capitol footage is a significant step towards transparency and accountability. By allowing qualified individuals to view the footage, House Republicans aim to dispel any doubts, counter politicization, and provide the public with an unfiltered account of the events that unfolded on that day. This move reflects a commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the truth prevails.