Ray Epps to have first transcribed interview under oath with Jan. 6 committee

Ray Epps, the Arizona man at the center of theories claiming that federal agents provoked the Capitol riot, will sit Friday with the House Jan. 6 committee for a transcribed interview under oath, according to his attorney. 

Epps, reportedly a former Arizona Oath Keeper, told the Jan. 6 committee in a November meeting that he was not working for nor with any law enforcement agency, and he has never been an informant for the FBI or another police agency.

Epps' attorney John Blischak told Politico that the November meeting was less formal than the one planned Friday.

Conservative commentators pointed out that Epps' previous statement that he has never been affiliated with the FBI were not made under oath in a formal setting.

Epps has been accused of being a federal agent planted to stage the Capitol riot. One theory about Epps' role involves several videos apparently showing him telling Trump supporters to "go into the Capitol" on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6. Another theory involves how Epps was reportedly added to and then removed from an FBI "most wanted" list following the riot.

Republican lawmakers such as Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.) have questioned federal officials about Epps' role.

Blischak told Politico that his client "was never in the Capitol building" and after Epps was identified, the FBI removed him from their list.