Sen. Ted Cruz failed to get a comment Tuesday from Jill Sanborn, an assistant director of the National Security branch of the FBI, about Ray Epps, a man seen acting suspiciously before and during the January 6, 2021 riot whose name disappeared from the FBI's suspect list after he appeared in New York Times reporting.
"Ms. Sanborn, was Ray Epps a fed?" Cruz asked. "How many FBI agents or confidential informants actively participated in the events of January 6th?"
"Sir, I can't answer that," Sanborn said, repeating that the FBI does not go into "sources and methods" in settings like this.
"A lot of Americans are concerned that the federal government deliberately encouraged illegal and violent conduct on January 6. This is not an ordinary law enforcement question, this is about public accountability. Did federal agents or those in service of federal agents actively encourage violent and criminal conduct on January 6?" Cruz asked.
"Not to my knowledge, sir," Sanborn replied.
BTW, "not to my knowledge" is different than "no." It also includes "I may have to testify in Congress so don't tell me, or put in writing, any questionable things you're doing in furtherance of our shared goals."
This government's demand for unlawful behavior by conservatives far exceeds the natural occurring supply. Hence, agitation by feds and those in their employ.
Given the FBI's track record, do you believe Ms. Sanborn? I'm not certain I do. Power Line’s John Hinderaker writes the following opinion about the FBI, which I share.
The Bureau has engaged in so much political conduct in recent years that there is no longer any presumption in its favor.
