Capitol insurrection: DHS whistleblower says Trump admin officials made Jan 6 riots worse by 'manipulating' intelligence

As of late, there have been more revelations about the inner workings of the Trump administration that may have played a part in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. A Trump administration DHS whistleblower revealed how Trump officials ordered to alter intelligence on critical issues and how it played into the Capitol riots.

Speaking with CNN’s Brianna Keilar Monday, DHS whistleblower, Brian Murphy, a self-described conservative Republican who also voted for Trump and served as the deputy undersecretary of the department’s intelligence office, revealed how officials ordered him to alter intelligence reports on key issues of white supremacy and how it played a part in the Capitol riots. Keilar pressed Murphy on which topics he was ordered to alter intelligence of. Murphy explained that he was ordered to “lie” about topics of white supremacy, Russian disinformation, and the situation at the southern border.

“So it was really anything that made the president look bad,” said Murphy. “From the moment I arrived, three main topics that would draw the ire of the administration, anything to do with white supremacy, Russian disinformation, and the southwest border.”

When Keilar pressed Murphy on whether the officials addressed the fact that ignoring such issues would be seen as problematic on their end, Murphy explained that it was more than ignorance. Murphy explained that the officials wanted to alter the intelligence to suit their political narrative. “They did not only not want things to come out, but shape it in a way that would support the president’s objectives,” said Murphy.

Pressed further, Murphy revealed that virtually every senior Trump official in the DHS ordered him to alter intelligence reports. However, Murphy said he repeatedly refused to follow such orders and warned that if they pressured him again with the orders, he would approach Congress or follow the whistleblower direction.

Meanwhile, hundreds of insurrectionists have been taken into custody by law enforcement, with some awaiting trial for their crimes. Recently, the Justice Department announced that two insurrectionists were hit with more serious charges of conspiracy and assault following evidence of their participation in the Capitol insurrection. Insurrectionists Ronald Sandlin of Tennessee and Nathan DeGrave of Nevada had increased charges in a superseding indictment that was unsealed last week, according to authorities.

Both Sandlin and DeGrave pleaded not guilty to all charges. The DOJ stated that both men plotted to interfere with the presidential transition that started on December 20, 2020.