House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Asks FBI To Investigate Parler’s Involvement in Capitol Riot
House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) is asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to examine what she says is Parler’s, which has cast itself as a conservative alternative to Twitter…
House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) is asking the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to examine what she says is Parler’s, which has cast itself as a conservative alternative to Twitter, role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Maloney requested that the law enforcement agency “conduct a robust examination of the role that the social media site Parler played in the assault.”
Maloney noted that there have been several press reports that highlighted threats made by users on Parler “against state elected officials for their role in certifying the election results” as well as threats against members of Congress.
Specifically, she cited comments on Parler from the leader of the far-right Proud Boys organization, who claimed there would be “boots on the ground” on January 6.
She also noted that several Parler users have been arrested and charged with making threats against elected officials or for their participation in the riot at the Capitol.
Read the letter below:
Additionally, she said, “Questions have also been raised about” Parler’s financing and “its ties to Russia, which the Intelligence Community has warned is continuing to use social media and other measures to sow discord in the United States and interfere with our democracy.”