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- Right-wing influencers are being investigated by the FBI and the Justice Department, according to The Washington Post.
- Investigators are exploring possible ties between Alex Jones, Roger Stone, and the insurrectionists.
- The investigation wants to understand what the rioters were thinking when they ransacked the US Capitol.
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The Justice Department and FBI are looking into whether Roger Stone and Alex Jones played a role in the deadly insurrection on January 6, according to The Washington Post.
The right-wing influencers and ‘Stop the Steal’ organizer Ali Alexander, are being investigated to help gain a greater understanding of what inspired the rioters to ransack the US Capitol building, The Post reported.
Investigators intend to explore whether there is a link between those who stormed the Capitol and those who may have influenced them by promoting election fraud conspiracy theories, the paper said.
The investigation does not necessarily mean that the men will face criminal charges, people familiar with the case told The Post.
“We are investigating potential ties between those physically involved in the attack on the Capitol and individuals who may have influenced them, such as Roger Stone, Alex Jones, and [Stop the Steal organizer] Ali Alexander,” an unnamed US official told the paper.
All three men made unsubstantiated claims of election fraud in the lead-up to the Capitol siege.
On one occasion, Stone baselessly claimed that North Korea had interfered in the presidential election by shipping in ballots through Maine ports.
The longtime friend of former President Donald Trump also spoke at a rally in front of the Supreme Court the day before the insurrection. He was reportedly flanked by extremists who later stormed the Capitol.
Jones, who also gave a speech at this event, posted a video on his website InfoWars.com of him telling a crowd: "We have only begun to resist the globalists. We have only begun our fight against their tyranny. They have tried to steal this election in front of everyone."
He has publicly stated that his media company funded the Stop the Steal rally- the precursor to the Capitol siege.
Alexander, who is also said to be under investigation, helped organize several rallies that preceded the insurrection.