- Alex Jones has approached the Justice Department regarding a possible interview about his role on January 6, 2021.
- The New York Times reported that the InfoWars host sent a letter to the government indicating a “desire” to speak.
- The Justice Department expanded the investigation to include the planning of the demonstration that preceded the riot.
Far-right talk show host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has indicated his willingness to appear for an interview with federal prosecutors leading the Justice Department’s expanded investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and rally. , according to The New York Times.
In a statement through his attorney, Jones said he sent the government a formal letter communicating his “desire” to speak with investigators about his role in the demonstration that preceded the riots, the outlet reported.
The InfoWars host was involved in the planning and funding of the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6, 2021, and delivered an impassioned speech encouraging the crowd of Trump supporters to march on Capitol Hill.
“We are here to take back our rightful country peacefully, because we are not globalist antifa criminals,” Jones told the crowd at the rally. “So let’s start marching, and I salute you all.”
Norm Pattis, a lawyer for Jones, claimed his client was not involved in any “criminal act” that day, The Times reported. Pattis did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
The Justice Department’s Jan. 6 investigation previously focused primarily on rioters who stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s victory. But last month, the department expanded the investigation to include planning for former President Donald Trump’s rally before the riots.
A federal grand jury is now seeking information from multiple people linked to the demonstrations and Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results.
During the “Stop the Steal” event, which was held just blocks from the US Capitol, Trump urged his supporters to “fight like hell” and march on Capitol Hill. Hundreds of protesters subsequently besieged the Capitol in an attack that ultimately led to five deaths.
The Justice Department investigation runs concurrently with a congressional investigation into the attack, in which lawmakers have issued dozens of subpoenas seeking to link members of Trump’s inner circle to the rioters.
In December, Jones sued the House select committee, seeking to prevent the release of deposition documents. When he finally testified before the panel earlier this year, Jones invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination nearly 100 times.
Jones’ apparent change of heart comes two weeks after another top rally organizer, Ali Alexander, said he was cooperating with the Justice Department investigation after receiving a federal grand jury subpoena.
As a condition of being interviewed, Jones requested immunity from prosecution, The Times reported.
“He mistrusts the government,” Pattis told the outlet.
Earlier this month, Jones’s far-right InfoWars website and two other sites affiliated with it filed for bankruptcy protection as the talk show host faces a series of defamation lawsuits from the parents of the victims of the Washington massacre. Sandy Hook in 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut.
An attorney for the families told Insider’s Kieran Press-Reynolds that Jones’ bankruptcy filing was intended as a delaying technique.