Jan. 6 Video Evidence 'Disappears' from Public Access, Media Coalition Claims

Media organizations raise concerns over missing footage from Justice Department's case against Capitol rioter Glen Simon.

A coalition of media organizations, including NPR, has raised alarms over the sudden disappearance of crucial video evidence related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The evidence in question was part of the case against Glen Simon, a rioter who pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly and disruptive conduct within a restricted building or grounds during the Capitol siege. According to a legal filing from February 10, 2025, the video exhibits used in Simon’s case, which were previously available through a government platform, are no longer accessible.

The Justice Department's online platform, which had been used to share key evidence from criminal cases related to the Capitol riot, now seems to have removed nine video exhibits connected to Simon's conviction. These videos played a critical role in his case, with Simon admitting to pushing against police officers with a metal bike rack, storming the Capitol building, and filming himself making violent statements such as “this is what a revolution looks like.”

Missing Video Evidence Raises Serious Concerns

The sudden disappearance of the video files has left the media coalition questioning whether this action was intentional. Although the absence of these files appears to have only affected Simon's case thus far, the implications are far-reaching. Legal representatives of the media organizations filed a request with the government to restore the missing evidence and to clarify whether other records related to the January 6 events would be removed without prior notice.

The media coalition, which has fought for access to court exhibits throughout the course of the January 6 criminal cases, insists that the public's right to access these records remains paramount. The files in question, including video footage showing moments of violence and destruction during the Capitol breach, were key to understanding the full scope of the events.

Former prosecutors who worked on the January 6 cases have expressed concern over the possibility that the Trump administration may be attempting to erase or alter the historical record surrounding the Capitol attack. They argue that the removal of such evidence could hinder transparency and accountability in the justice process, allowing for a potential whitewashing of history.

In the aftermath of the events, former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who was assaulted during the riot, filed for protective orders against individuals responsible for his assault. Meanwhile, video footage from the Capitol shows the chaotic scenes of officers being overwhelmed by the crowd of Trump supporters, which resulted in injuries to more than 140 law enforcement officers.

The Role of Video Evidence in Legal Proceedings

Video footage has played a crucial role in holding rioters accountable for their actions. The legal teams representing the Capitol rioters have made extensive use of this evidence to build cases against those who participated in the attack. Video files, like those now missing from Simon's case, help paint a vivid picture of the violence and destruction that took place on January 6, 2021, and provide essential documentation of the events as they unfolded.

In Simon’s case, the prosecution highlighted video evidence that showed him actively engaging in disruptive behavior during the riot. As part of his plea agreement, Simon admitted to recording himself as he incited violence, making statements aimed at encouraging further aggression and unrest. Such evidence is vital for the judicial process, allowing the public to understand the severity of the Capitol insurrection and the individuals responsible for it.

The absence of this video evidence raises serious questions about the potential for a coordinated effort to obscure the reality of what transpired on that day. The media coalition has called for immediate transparency from the government and demanded an explanation for the disappearance of these vital records.

The Political Context Surrounding the Jan. 6 Investigation

The legal case against Simon is only one piece of a much larger puzzle involving the January 6 attack. Over the past few years, the Justice Department has handled hundreds of criminal cases related to the riot, with many rioters pleading guilty or being convicted of various charges. Some rioters, including those who assaulted police officers, received clemency from President Donald Trump, who pardoned over 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol breach. Since the pardons, critics have voiced concerns that these actions may undermine the efforts to hold rioters accountable.

Trump’s statements about the rioters he pardoned further complicate the political narrative surrounding the Capitol attack. He has claimed that the rioters were not the aggressors, but instead, were victims of government misconduct. The dismissal of cases related to individuals involved in violent acts, including assaults on police officers, has led many to fear that the true extent of the violence could be minimized in the public eye.

Legal experts, including former federal prosecutors, have warned that efforts to remove video exhibits from the public record could result in a distorted version of history. As Brendan Ballou, a former federal prosecutor, noted, “A lot of politicians’ careers now depend on the record of the attack on the Capitol being rewritten.”

The Ongoing Fight for Transparency and Accountability

The fight for transparency continues as the media coalition presses for the return of the missing video evidence. On February 10, 2025, the group contacted the government, requesting the restoration of the files and a clear explanation for their removal. Without a satisfactory response, the media organizations have called on the court to intervene and order the government to make the exhibits available within 48 hours.

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between political interests and the pursuit of justice following the January 6 attack. While the criminal cases surrounding the event continue to unfold, the need for public access to the full record of what occurred remains critical. The media coalition's request underscores the public's right to view the evidence and form an informed understanding of one of the most significant attacks on U.S. democracy in recent history.