Arizona state Rep. Mark Finchem released a statement in which he claimed “the use of facial recognition software” proved Antifa was present at the storming of the Capitol. He also wrote that participants were “positively identified as Antifa infiltrators.”
There is still no evidence that Antifa infiltrated the riot. Finchem appears to be referencing the already-debunkedWashington Times article that claimed that facial recognition software company XRVision identified two Antifa members among the rioters. They didn’t—in fact XRVision says it identified two neo-Nazis. As outlined at length in a previous fact check, numerous Trump supporters have been identified among those who stormed the Capitol. While it remains possible that out of the thousands of individuals present during the riot some may have been Antifa members, there’s nothing to suggest they led or incited the riot. In fact, Trump supporters discussed violence and attacking Congress at length in the lead-up to January 6 on pro-Trump discussion boards and social media platforms as well. And some known Trump supporters photographed and took video of their participation in the assault.
On Saturday, Jessica Davis, a press representative for the FBI, told The Dispatch Fact Check: “At this time we have no credible intelligence suggesting Antifa involvement in Wednesday’s criminal activity. However, the investigation is ongoing and we are aggressively working to identify all individuals involved, no matter their association.” Other officials with the FBI and the Department of Justice have made similar statements denying evidence of Antifa’s participation in the attack on Congress.
If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.
Please note that we at The Dispatch hold ourselves, our work, and our commenters to a higher standard than other places on the internet. We welcome comments that foster genuine debate or discussion—including comments critical of us or our work—but responses that include ad hominem attacks on fellow Dispatch members or are intended to stoke fear and anger may be moderated.
You are currently using a limited time guest pass and do not have access to commenting. Consider subscribing to join the conversation.
With your membership, you only have the ability to comment on The Morning Dispatch articles. Consider upgrading to join the conversation everywhere.