LANSING — This week, the FBI released footage in relation to their ongoing prosecution of those that participated in the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that killed five and injured 140 officers on January 6th — putting even more pressure on former police chief James Craig to answer in plain terms whether or not he sides with the rioters or the cops that put their lives on the line that day.
Michael Foy is one of 11 insurrectionists from Michigan to be prosecuted. MLive reported earlier this year that Foy is facing “eight charges connected to his alleged assault of police officers” which could land him in federal prison for 20 years if convicted.
Though it was known that Foy “struck Capitol Police at least 10 times with a hockey stick wrapped in a President Donald Trump flag” while embedded in a group breaching the doors, the footage the FBI released this week shows the extent of the crowd’s rage from multiple angles, including an officer’s body cam. Warning: the visuals are graphic.
Since May, James Craig has been dodging questions on several issues. Now, another one gets added to the list: how he can grapple his proud support of the former president while he continues to lie about the extent of the well-documented violence that took place in DC?
Earlier this week, Trump said the following about “patriots” like Michael Foy that brutally assaulted Craig’s peers in blue with homemade weapons:
“These were peaceful people, these were great people. […] The crowd was unbelievable and I mentioned the word ‘love,’ the love in the air, I’ve never seen anything like it. That’s why they went to Washington.”
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite released the following statement:
“James Craig’s refusal to condemn both the insurrection and extremists’ repeated, dangerous lies about January 6th is more than unacceptable — it’s dishonorable. Craig is showing Michiganders that he won’t denounce brutal attacks against anyone if it gets in the way of his own political ambitions. This footage shows cops being beaten in broad daylight, and he won’t condemn the violence out of fear of losing support from far-right extremists. What other evidence is he waiting on to do so? Michiganders can’t afford a governor that plays political games with people’s lives and takes cues from insider consultants on which atrocities to acknowledge.”
