Madison Co. Dems say Jan. 6 videos show local mayoral candidate lied about leaving rally
Using new video displayed by the Jan. 6 Committee, Madison County Democrats have questioned whether a Richmond mayoral candidate participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, alleging that she lied about leaving a rally in D.C. prior to the riot.
Krystin Arnold, a sitting Richmond city commissioner, previously acknowledged she was at a rally in support of former President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., but previously told the media she left “hours before” the violent invasion of the Capitol.
The Madison County Democratic Party asked for more answers from her in a statement sent last week which further condemned her actions. The group also released a video titled: “Did Richmond Mayoral Candidate LIE About January 6?”
Arnold, who is a sitting Richmond city commissioner, posted a selfie at the 2021 rally, an event organized to protest the 2020 election, as former President Donald Trump claimed the election was stolen despite evidence to the contrary. Arnold confirmed she was at the rally, but told the media she was gone “hours before” the violent invasion of the U.S. Capitol building took place.
The video released by the Madison County Democratic Party shows footage displayed by the Jan. 6 Committee of rioters marching toward the Capitol. Using a building in the background of the video and matching it to a building in the background of Arnold’s selfie, local Democrats indicate they believe that Arnold may have participated in the march on the Capitol.
In the video, the Madison County Democratic Party asks: “When did she really leave?”
The Democratic Party said the video “shows that Richmond Mayoral candidate and incumbent City Commissioner Krystin Arnold may have lied about when she left Washington, D.C. on January 6.”
The Madison County Democratic Party said in a statement that Arnold “needs to fully explain her reasons for going to the Capitol, when she left, and what she saw on that day.”
Mayoral candidate: I was not party to any acts of violence
Arnold again refuted being apart of any acts of violence on Jan. 6 and maintained she acted within her rights on that day.
“I was not party to any acts of violence during my visit to the Capitol on January 6,” she said. “I was well within my constitutional rights to attend as a private citizen. Again, I will not apologize for exercising my freedoms, lest I stand to lose them. The video release has been produced by a small group of people holding leadership positions within the Madison County Democratic Party.
“It is my understanding there are those in leadership who have come from Oregon and other areas who now call Madison County their home.”
Arnold said being from Madison County her whole life, she “knows the convictions that are held in the hearts of the people,” and in spite of political differences, the “people are not vicious.”
She said her candidacy for Richmond mayor is a non-partisan race. Arnold feels the new leadership of the MCDP has attempted to play on the emotion of citizens with hopes they will further divide the community.
“I’m compelled to encourage our citizens to be aware of those in leadership at every level and to be engaged in your community, who is leading our communities, and how they lead will determine the success in our future. Undeterred, Richmond is growing and moving forward as a community. I am grateful to be apart of our growth as we continue to navigate through challenges,” she said.
The video’s circulation came amid a series of Jan. 6 hearings, which began this month to investigate the root causes of the violent invasion of the Capitol.
Rebecca Blankenship, a spokesperson for the Madison County Democratic Party, said the party wants people “to know what happened and we want Arnold to answer basic questions about when she was there, why she was there, what she saw and what she did.”
“She said she left hours before the violence took place, but I think it is pretty clear the photo suggests otherwise and we want to know the whole story,” Blankenship said. “The voters of Richmond deserve that. (Arnold) condemned the violence there but didn’t tell the whole truth about her role. I am in no way suggesting she participated in the violence, but the specifics of her schedule.”
Arnold faced backlash for appearing in D.C. on Jan. 6
Arnold’s viral post from the Capitol warranted immediate attention of both backlash and praise from those in Richmond and other areas. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear commented on Arnold’s presence at the time and stated “shame on you.”
Madison County Democrats said in a statement they “strongly condemn” the riot and added that a Richmond mayoral candidate’s presence “should unsettle any voter who believes the people should pick their government.”
The video released by the Madison County Democratic Party also showed a montage of comments Arnold made at her first ever city commission meeting, in which she defended her choice to attend the rally.
“My presence at the Capitol was an exercise of my First Amendment right, patriotism and true justice,” Arnold said in a video clip of a former city commission meeting. “... I will not apologize for my freedoms.”
This story was originally published July 6, 2022 at 12:30 PM.
