Maine GOP Chair calls Capitol rioters ‘our people,’ accuses police of murder

A conversation between Maine Republican Party Chair Demi Kouzounas and former Congressman Bruce Poliquin on the WLOB radio station on Tuesday quickly devolved into conspiracy theorizing.

“They knew the Capitol riots were happening, were going to happen. They had enough of an understanding. I mean it’s not being talked about but I think it is,” said Kouzounas. “The Capitol riots happened and of course the five people killed were our people, right, were on our side, not the other way around, and only one was really murdered, which was by a Capitol policeman.”

Kouzounas was referring to the death of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by a Capitol police officer as she attempted to break through a door into the Speaker’s Lobby outside the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, through which members of Congress were evacuating.

Babbitt’s death has been seized on by white supremacist and far-right extremist groups who, like Kouzounas, claim she was murdered and consider her a martyr.

Kouzounas went farther, theorizing that the entire insurrection was actually in service of a socialist plot.

“I’m just wondering if what they’re really looking for is chaos, so the government can grow a little bit more and take over,” said Kouzounas. “I mean, if we’re headed to socialism, isn’t that one of the ways that we – you take people’s guns away and then you allow for some chaos to occur and then you come in as a government and say we’ve got to take care of you, we’ve got to protect you, it’s our job to do it and grow the government.”

Poliquin echoed Kouzounas’ claims, singling out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, his former colleague when he served in Congress from 2015 to 2019, as central to the supposed plot.

“It’s a fortress down there and always has been,” said Poliquin. “What Pelosi is trying to do – because she determines what the security apparatus is at the Capitol complex – she is trying to get the message to the American people that Republicans can’t be trusted with protecting their families and their communities and the optics she’s trying to show.”

The day after the interview between Poliquin and Kouzounas was broadcast, the Justice Department released the results of an investigation finding no basis for prosecution of the officer who killed Babbitt.

In her comments, Kouzounas did not acknowledge the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who was injured during the assault and died the next day from a stroke, nor two other police officers who defended the capitol and then died in the following days from suicide.

At least 138 officers were injured in the attack on the capitol, including many severely, suffering concussions, broken bones, burns, lacerations and the loss of fingers.

Opposite sentiments for racial justice protesters

Poliquin at a previous radio appearance | Official photo

Kouzounas’ comments identifying with the rioters and accusing police of murder were a stark break from the rest of the several hours she spent on the air Tuesday morning, during which she focused almost exclusively on the killing of Daunte Wright by a white police officer in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, and her criticisms of ongoing protests for racial justice.

Kouzounas was filling in for regular host Ray Richardson, who she said was ill and being tested for COVID-19.

Both Kouzounas and Poliquin defended officer Kimberly Ann Potter, who is being charged with manslaughter for the killing of Wright.

“It looks like it was a mistake,” said Poliquin, who recounted the officer’s explanation that she thought she was holding a taser (although he repeatedly referred to it as a “phaser,” a weapon from Star Trek), rather than a handgun.

“This is a new generation that is comfortable with violence,” complained Kouzounas. “We’ve lost respect for those that protect us.”

“We support our police,” said Poliquin. “The Democrats do not.”

No accountability for extremism

Kouzounas has spread other extreme conspiracy theories from her perch as head of the state’s Republican party, including false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump, the same lies that fueled the failed insurrection.

She has also falsely claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic is the result of a conspiracy enacted by the Chinese government in order to harm Trump’s re-election chances.

To this point, Kouzounas has faced no public criticisms from party members or Maine Republican officeholders for her extreme views and statements.

In February, she signed a letter condemning Sen. Susan Collins for voting to impeach Trump for his role in encouraging the Capitol riots.

On Thursday, the Maine Republican Party announced that Kouzounas, in addition to her state party position, will serve as Northeast regional co-chair for the Republican National Committee.

Poliquin is rumored to be considering running against Rep. Jared Golden in 2022 in an attempt to regain the Second District congressional seat he once held.

Photo: Kouzounas, Poliquin and Collins speak at a Maine GOP event | Maine Republican Party