Dear Oklahoma Friends and Neighbors...

After the unthinkable and horrific attack on the United States Capitol happened on January 6, rumors are flying on social media right now making many people even more worried and fearful. The Capitol has always been a symbol of our freedom and the place where hard issues are discussed and every opinion is heard, not where a violent mob races through the building attacking, destroying, and trying to intimidate.

There is a lot of information that has circulated in the past week. However, I’ve been asked questions about rumors that are just simply not true. I would encourage all of us not to just accept every rumor as fact and to show personal restraint before sharing with others things we do not know whether they are actually true. This is a moment when we need to pour water over the fire, not gasoline.

Here are a few of the rumors I’ve seen and heard so far along with what I believe is at least one credible source to debunk or confirm the rumor:

Rumor: “There was a running police officer leading the mob in the Capitol” – Many have seen video of a Capitol police officer running up a staircase alone in front of a group of people illegally entering the Capitol. People have accused him of letting the mob in or even “enticing them.” That could not be further from the truth. I know that officer well, and we speak often. His name is Eugene, and he is a hero. He distracted the mob away from the Senate Chamber while staff and Senators were still in the chamber. His “leading” actually turned the mob away from the Senate floor and toward other officers, buying time to evacuate the building, and probably saved lives.

Rumor: “Seeing unusual increased military activity across the country” – There is a normal, increased posture of readiness in certain areas of the military around a presidential inauguration since we never want our adversaries to perceive weakness from our nation during a transition of power. To read more about the uptick in National Guard presence in Washington, DC, leading up to the 2009 inauguration of President Obama, please visit: https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/573 700/national-guard-detailssupport-to-inauguration/

Rumor: “The National Guard is being secretly called up all over the country” – You can’t secretly call up the National Guard. “Calling them up” involves thousands of decisions that directly affect our friends and neighbors.

At this time the National Guard is being asked to help preserve national security during the transition of power, and the area in and around Washington, DC, will have additional National Guardsmen and women on hand to ensure the safety and continuity of our government.