Zach Henry, a right-wing social media influencer who was hired by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign, had previously posted on social media that the January 6 attack on the Capitol was “Democrat misdirection” and promoted conspiracy theories that “antifa” was behind it. Despite claiming to not have entered the Capitol or engage in violence or destruction, photos and videos uncovered by NBC News and online sleuths suggest that Henry was on the restricted grounds of the U.S. Capitol during the attack. His presence at the Capitol could be significant given his previous social media posts about the attack and his current role on Kennedy’s campaign as he runs for president as an independent against former President Donald Trump.
Henry, who worked as the communications director for the Arizona Republican Party until January 2021, appears to have been behind the party’s official Twitter account when it posted controversial tweets in support of Trump and promoted conspiracy theories about election fraud. He was also identified in photos and videos from the day of the Capitol attack, including being seen recording on the restricted grounds of the Capitol and appearing in footage from the mob’s takeover of the inauguration platform. Online investigators were able to match a man identified as Henry in various videos and photos based on his clothing and appearance, linking him to the events of January 6, 2021.
While federal prosecutors initially charged a few nonviolent defendants who were on the Capitol grounds but did not enter the building, their focus has shifted primarily to those who committed violence or destruction inside the Capitol. Henry’s presence on the restricted grounds of the Capitol could potentially be a federal crime, as unauthorized entry into restricted areas is a violation of the law. However, given the limited resources of prosecutors and the emphasis on more serious offenders, it is unlikely that Henry would face charges related to his actions on January 6.
Henry has not publicly commented on the specific details of his location on January 6, only confirming that he was in Washington on that day. Despite being presented with screenshots of himself outside the Capitol, he did not respond to further inquiries. Kennedy’s campaign also did not provide a comment in response to questions about Henry’s involvement in the Capitol attack. The revelation of Henry’s possible connection to the events of January 6 raises questions about his role in promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation related to the attack, as well as his credibility as a social media influencer and political campaign consultant.
The investigation into the events of January 6 continues to uncover new details and individuals who were present at the Capitol that day. Zach Henry’s involvement as a right-wing social media influencer and former Republican Party communications director adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing scrutiny of the attack and its aftermath. As federal prosecutors focus on prosecuting those who engaged in violence or destruction, the role of individuals like Henry who were present on the restricted grounds of the Capitol during the attack raises important questions about accountability and responsibility for those who contributed to the events of that day.
