Mo Brooks blames Antifa for Capitol riots, says he was warned about ‘fascist’ infiltration of rally

Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks says people shouldn’t “rush to judgment” on the identity of those behind the Wednesday’s riots at the U.S. Capitol.

In a series of tweets, the Huntsville Republican doubled down on claims Antifa was likely behind the violence as lawmakers attempted to certify the electoral college win by president-elect Joe Biden. At least four people died in the riots, including one who was apparently shot by Capitol Police, and there were numerous arrests. Lawmakers, many wearing gas masks, were told to shelter in place as rioters breached the Capitol complex, smashing windows and causing damage in offices.

Brooks said he was warned by a Congressman on Monday of a “growing Antifa threat” and was advised to “sleep in my office rather than leaving the Capitol complex (and) sleeping in my condo.

“I heeded that advice and have slept on my office floor for four straight nights.”

Brooks added another Congressman was warned Tuesday by Capitol Police that “intelligence suggested fascist ANTIFA was going to try and infiltrate the Trump rally by dressing like Trump supporters.”

“Evidence, much public, surfacing that many Capitol assaulters were fascist ANTIFAs, not Trump supporters. Again, time will reveal truth. Don’t rush to judgment. Don’t be fooled by #FakeNewsMedia whose political judgment drives their reporting. My view: fully prosecute all!” Brooks added.

Claims that radical groups were behind the violence began to circulate as crowds pushed into the Capitol, scaling walls and climbing fences. The theory was shared by several lawmakers and widely on social media without evidence to back up the claims.

Before Wednesday’s riots and the certification of the election results, Brooks had delivered a fiery speech to Trump supporters where he said that “today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.” He later issued a statement denouncing the violence.

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