‘Walk Away’ Social Media Campaign Founder Arrested In Connection With Capitol Riots

The founder of the pro-Trump social media campaign “Walk Away” is the latest to have been arrested for his involvement in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. The social media campaign aimed to get Democrats to leave their political party.

The Hill reports that Brandon Straka was charged with disorderly conduct, knowingly entering and remaining on restricted grounds, and impeding police during civil disorder, according to the indictment. Straka is currently in federal custody in Omaha.

On January 7, Straka posted a 58-minute video to Twitter detailing his involvement at the Capitol. In the video, which was sent to the FBI, he can be heard saying that he witnessed “nothing being broken” and “nobody committing any acts of violence.”

Screenshots were sent to the agency depicting Straka, describing in detail his involvement in the insurrection. Straka’s relative also contacted the FBI about a since-deleted video that they saw of him admitting he was “on the cusp” of entering the Capitol building. 

“My review of Straka’s Twitter account on January 11 did not find video or any other posts from January 6, 2021, relating directly to Straka’s actions at the U.S. Capitol,” the arresting document states. “However, the FBI received tips from the public with screenshots of Straka’s Twitter activity from January 6, 2021.”

Additionally, a link was sent to the agency depicting Straka egging on a crowd that was struggling with a police officer. Straka says, “Take it away from him,” referring to the officer’s shield. The officer wrestles with the crowd, who eventually takes his shield.

Before his involvement in the Capitol riot, Straka was removed from an American Airlines flight in June over his refusal to wear a mask. A New York Times reporter filmed the incident.