Michigan Republican leader calls Capitol riot a hoax

A Republican legislative leader in Michigan apologized Tuesday after falsely claiming supporters of President Donald Trump were t involved in deadly attack at U.S. Capitol, having called it a “hoax.” Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey made comments last Wednesday while meeting with leaders of Hillsdale County GOP, according to a video posted on YouTube by a group called Reclaim Our American Republic. remarks were first reported by Detroit Metro Times.

"I said some things in a videoed conversation that are t fitting for role I am privileged to serve,” he said in a statement. "I own that. I have many flaws. Being passionate coupled with an occasional lapse in restraint of tongue are at least two of m. I regret words I chose, and I apologize for my insensitive comments.”

statement did t specify remarks for which he was apologizing. In contentious meeting, three Republicans spoke with Shirkey at a restaurant a day before Hillsdale County GOP's executive board censured him for a number of reasons, including backing a ban on open carry of guns into Statehouse and allegedly t doing eugh to fight Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions.

Shirkey countered that Republicans had successfully sued goverr and taken or steps such as blocking her minees. “Spanked her hard on budget," he said. "Spanked her hard on appointments. Did everything we could constitutionally do.” At one point, a participant who said he was at Jan. 6 protest in Washington, D.C., asked Shirkey about it. He responded: “That wasn't Trump people. That's been a hoax from day one. That was all prearranged." Ar participant, who also said he had been in D.C., suggested that police tear-gassed “ir own guards.”

Shirkey said: “Why wasn't re more security re? It was ridiculous. It was all std," claiming that n-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “was part of it. ...y wanted to have a mess." He added that some Trump backers “probably got caught up in emotion” of mob.

siege of Capitol stunned world as hundreds of Trump supporters ransacked building to try to stop certification of Joe Biden’s victory. Five people died, including a police officer. Jon Smith, Hillsdale County GOP's secretary who helped organize two busloads of people to travel to D.C., told Associated Press that he recorded hour-long conversation with a phone in his pocket because he was worried Shirkey would lie. It was unclear wher Shirkey knew he was being recorded. Hillsdale County is one of three south-central Michigan counties Shirkey represents in Senate.

Senate Mirity Leader Jim Ananich, a Flint Democrat, said “it is past time to accept facts. On Jan. 6, 2021, re was an insurrection at U.S. Capitol. Republicans need to decide for mselves if y are going to hold ir leaders accountable for spreading lies.”

Shirkey was among seven Michigan lawmakers who met with Trump  at White House after election amid president’s extraordinary efforts to subvert democratic process that handed battleground state to Biden. He said he and n-House Speaker Lee Chatfield told Trump that state law did t give Legislature a say in awarding Michigan's 16 electoral votes. Days later, state elections board certified Biden’s victory. 

(Im Credits: AP)