FACT CHECK: Image Shows Rioter With Vape, Not Federal Badge

Elias Atienza | Senior Reporter

An image shared on X claims to show a Jan. 6 rioter with a federal badge.

Verdict: False

The image likely shows the rioter with a vape, not a federal badge.

Fact Check:

Social media users are sharing an image of a man, claiming it shows him flashing a federal badge while he’s posing as a rioter. The text in the image reads, “This is why they didn’t want us to see the tapes. Fed disguised as Trump supporter.”

This claim is false. The image shows Chris Lyons, a rioter who was sentenced to 4 years in prison for his role in the January 6th attack, according to AFP Fact Check. He was an HVAC technician, not a federal agent, the outlet reported.

Ryan Reilly, an NBC News journalist, identified the item in his hand as a vape, not a badge, in a November 19 tweet. (RELATED: Did Daily Mail Report That Prince William Called Camilla’ C*** Consort’?)

Sedition Hunters, a group that describes itself as “hunting and distributing clear face images of those that stormed the Capitol,” said that the image showed him with a vape.

The image originates from a video released by the House Committee on House Administration. Court documents show that he was wearing the same outfit during the attack.

Elias Atienza

Senior Reporter
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