In addition to the video surveillance footage, FBI charging documents show that Baker had been working as a journalist when he entered the Capitol building to document the events unfolding.
Blaze Media obtained video surveillance footage from inside and outside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, that they say shows investigative journalist Steve Baker acting as a reporter during the protest.
Baker, a journalist who works for Blaze Media, was arrested by the FBI on Friday and charged with four non-violent misdemeanors over his alleged involvement in the events of Jan. 6, 2021, at the US Capitol.
Video surveillance footage shows Baker roaming about the Capitol, both inside and outside, video recording the events unfolding on his cell phone. Baker is also seen speaking into his phone as if he were reporting on what had been occurring. The journalist can be identified in the video with his red hat and black backpack.
"We sifted through hundreds of hours of Capitol security video to find and show all available footage of @TPC4USA's path through the Capitol. Judge for yourself whether or not he committed a crime. Major thanks to @RepLoudermilk and @SpeakerJohnson for delivering on this," wrote Blaze Media on X.
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View on XIn addition to the video surveillance footage, FBI charging documents show that Baker had been working as a journalist when he entered the Capitol building to document the events unfolding.
The charging documents state that Baker had been video recording the event and providing commentary as to what had been occurring inside and outside the Capitol building. The documents do not show Baker committing any violent crimes. They simply show Baker video recording and reporting, which is the job of a journalist.
Baker's arrest has sparked mass outrage, with individuals accusing the Biden administration of violating the First Amendment and jailing journalists.
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View on XThe journalist was arrested by the FBI in Dallas, Texas on Friday and has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building.
The Justice Department has used "non-violent misdemeanor" charges to convict and imprison hundreds of non-violent protesters who were in Washington, DC to attend a rally with then President Donald J. Trump and then moved to the Capitol building. Biden's Special Counsel Jack Smith has used the obstruction of an official proceeding theory as the basis for half of his charges against Trump in the J6 case against him.
Baker's arrest is the latest among other journalists who reported on the events of J6 such as David Medina and Owen Shroyer.
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