https://youtu.be/9bUZg0VE_dE

The Oregonian has uncovered video of Republican state representative Mike Nearman coaching a group of constituents on ways to enter the state capitol building in Salem without authorization, days before a mob of right-wing protestors did just that in December.

Speaking at a what appears to be a town hall meeting, Nearman recites a cell phone number and says, “And if you say ‘I am at the west entrance’ during a session in text to that number there, that somebody might exit that door while you’re standing there.”  The cell phone number, which is also shown in a Powerpoint presentation, was Nearman’s.

Security footage of the December 21st attack on the state capitol shows Nearman exiting the west side of the capitol building through a locked door, and then holding the door open so attackers can enter.

Throughout the presentation, Nearman gives feeble denials that he knows anything about the attack, called “Operation Hall Pass” by organizers.  Nearman faces criminal misconduct charges for letting armed attackers into the building.

“We’re talking about setting up Operation Hall Pass, which I don’t know anything about and if you accuse me of knowing something about, I’ll deny it. But there would be some person’s cell phone which might be,” before giving his cell phone number, which is bleeped out of the video.

“But,” he continues, “that was just random numbers that I screened up. That’s not anybody’s actual cell phone. And if you say ‘I am at the west entrance’ during a session in text to that number there, that somebody might exit that door while you’re standing there.

“But I don’t know anything about that, I don’t have anything to do with that, and if I did, I wouldn’t say that I did. But anyway, the number that I didn’t say was [the censored phone number]. So don’t text that number. But a number like that. Make sure you say what exit you’re at too.”

After a woman asked him to repeat the number, he continues, “If I were to say a number, it might be something like [the censored number].”  And you’d have to say what entrance you’re at. But that’s not really going to happen, so don’t worry about that … There’s no there there. So anyway, you’re not allowed in the Capitol, so that’s kind of a problem, but that’s where we’re at.”