Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey was secretly recorded calling the January 6 Capitol attack a staged hoax, sparking controversy within Republican ranks and raising questions about leadership accountability.
Secret Recording Exposes Conspiracy Claims
In a video posted to YouTube by the Hillsdale County Republican Party, Shirkey told local GOP officials that the Capitol breach was entirely fabricated. The recording captured him saying the deadly attack that resulted in five fatalities was completely staged. He questioned why security remained light that day and suggested Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell deliberately allowed insufficient protection to create chaos. The video was secretly recorded by county party secretary Jon Smith during a private meeting.
BREAKING🚨: BOMBSHELL Hidden Camera: Former Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey exposes January 6 truth!
'It was all staged. Mitch McConnell wanted it to be a mess so he could secure a Trump impeachment conviction for Pelosi & Schumer.'
GOP insider drops this on… pic.twitter.com/Nr4PlmgkMe
— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) February 12, 2026
Shirkey issued a statement acknowledging his remarks were inappropriate for his position but stopped short of retracting his conspiracy theories. He attributed his comments to a passionate temperament and admitted to occasional lapses in restraint. The apology focused on his choice of words rather than addressing the substance of his false claims about the Capitol events.
Local Party Tensions Escalate
The Hillsdale County Republican Party posted the video under their Reclaim Our American Republic YouTube account, targeting what they called Republicans in Name Only. Their description promised to continue exposing local party members they deemed insufficiently conservative. The following day, the same county organization censured Shirkey for supporting firearm restrictions at the Michigan State Capitol building, demonstrating growing friction between establishment Republicans and grassroots activists.
Federal Investigation Contradicts Claims
The FBI has arrested hundreds of January 6 participants and documented extensive evidence of right-wing extremist involvement in the Capitol breach. Video footage captured by participants themselves shows Trump supporters wearing campaign merchandise while storming the building. Federal investigators have built cases against numerous individuals based on social media posts, phone records, and eyewitness testimony, directly contradicting claims that the attack was manufactured or staged by political opponents.
Every one of these Dishonest Politicians Must go to Jail. It is getting so urgent to get Justice for these peoples actions. Our Country could be so much better for its Citizens if our Politicians could be on the same “Honest” page.
Resulted in 5 deaths???????? Ashley Babbit was the ONLY death from the Jan 6 protest/tour of the Capital.
Have you ever heard the saying ( a wolf in sheep clothing ) . I saw one video where the capitol police were holding the door open and bunch of old people that were calmly walking in and right next to it were people dressed in black wearing MAGA hats breaking in a window right next to the door. You decide
Puulllleeeeze give us the names of the five people that were killed on J6 at the capital. I know of 2 protesters who were killed by capital police and another guy had a heart attack. Ashley Babbit was shot by a cop, and woman was beaten to death by cops, I don’t remember her name though. Please give us the names of all 5. Otherwise, quit being FAKE NEWS.