COLUMBUS, OH - Derek Myers, a congressional candidate for Ohio's second district, has released a video to disclose information he believes the American public deserves to know, particularly regarding the events of January 6th and the federal government's alleged involvement. Initially hesitant to make this public due to potential negative impacts on his campaign and base support, Myers felt compelled by a sense of duty to the truth.
It's important to note there have been no independent verification of Myers claims.
He claims that there were indeed undercover FBI agents and other operatives within the crowd during the January 6th Capitol protest, aiming to radicalize and incite the protesters. Myers asserts what he claims is his firsthand knowledge of these tactics, revealing his own recruitment by the FBI in 2007 as part of a program to infiltrate and influence radical organizations. He describes the role of such operatives to gather intelligence, plan actions with these groups, and escalate their aggression to provoke violent outcomes.
FBI Director Christopher Wray flatly has rejected suggestions that the bureau played any role in the mass unrest that upended the US Capitol two-a-half years ago.
"This notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous and is a disservice to our brave, hardworking, dedicated men and women," Wray said during testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.
The director maintained the FBI did not have any advance knowledge of the assault that saw hundreds of former President Donald Trump's supporters storm the federal legislature as lawmakers prepared to take a constitutionally-mandated step ahead of President Joe Biden's inauguration.
Myers claims he was deactivated from the program in 2020 but was approached for reactivation for an assignment related to the "Stop the Steal" rally, which he later understood to be the January 6th event. He confirms the FBI's use of operatives to infiltrate and influence protest movements and expresses his willingness to share evidence at personal risk, emphasizing the importance of public awareness of these practices by the federal government. Myers hopes his disclosure will bring transparency and force the government to acknowledge its covert activities.
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Myers is a former journalist-turned-entrepreneur. He said he is stepping into the political fight to champion the conservative cause. Myers vows to inject honesty, integrity and a conservative voice into Congress.
Myers sought office as a Democrat two years ago.
Myers said he anticipates a gratifying campaign leading up to the primary election on March 19, 2024. He pledges unwavering dedication to represent the values and aspirations of the people, vowing to be a fearless conservative voice for Ohio's Second Congressional District in Washington to make America great again.
According to the Ohio Capitol Journal, in a Twitter spaces interview in February, 2023, Myers explained, “I am not registered, because after I did not get the seat on city council, I got angry at the local party, and I withdrew my voter registration entirely.”
To run for office, though, Myers has to be a registered elector in the state of Ohio. He re-registered about two months ago, on Nov. 17, 2023.
Myers’ Twitter spaces interview had to do with charges of sexual harassment he’d made against former U.S. Rep. George Santos, R-NY. Myers had a brief stint in the Congressman’s office in January 2023, but the job offer was rescinded, according to Myers in an interview he gave to TPM.
Shortly afterward, Myers filed a complaint against Santos with the House Committee on Ethics and told The New York Times he had filed a report with the Capitol Police.
The Committee on Ethics released its report on Santos in November. With regard to Myers’ claims of sexual harassment, the Investigative Subcommittee Report states it “was unable to substantiate this allegation.” The group adds that testimony from other witnesses contradicts what Myers told them, and that they had concerns about his “credibility and motivation in making the allegation.” They note Myers, “contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation with his allegation in order to be paid by them for information regarding Representative Santos.”
The FBI has not yet commented on Myers allegations.
I will update this story with any comment from federal officials.