Written by Caleb Matthews.

For nearly four years, the infamous “gallows” at the January 6 Capitol protests served as a prop for the Justice Department and Democrats, supporting their narrative of an attempted insurrection. President Joe Biden even claimed earlier this year that they were “erected to hang Vice President Mike Pence,” a statement the FBI itself eventually debunked.

But here’s the twist: no one knows who built them. And thanks to the actions—or inactions—of Capitol officials, we probably never will. A report released by the House Administration’s Subcommittee on Oversight on Tuesday revealed that the so-called gallows were removed and destroyed by Capitol employees less than 24 hours after January 6. No investigation. No evidence preserved.

That’s right—the same structure that was used as a symbol of chaos and danger for years didn’t get so much as a passing glance from law enforcement.

FBI and Capitol Officials: Masters of Shrugging

According to the subcommittee, the FBI didn’t bother investigating the gallows. And it wasn’t just them—the Democrat-controlled January 6 Committee didn’t show much interest either. This is despite Capitol Police rules strictly prohibiting temporary structures on Capitol grounds. So, why wasn’t anyone curious about who built it?

The timeline is damning. Surveillance footage shows the gallows sitting untouched for 26 hours before being loaded onto a dump truck and crushed by Capitol employees. No law enforcement entity examined the structure before it was unceremoniously turned into splinters.

Even more bizarre, the subcommittee’s investigation traced the construction of the gallows to a group that arrived early in the morning on January 6, carrying lumber in a van and later adding the finishing touches, like a noose made of bright orange rope. Surveillance footage wasn’t clear enough to identify faces, but other cameras in the area should have captured better images.

Here’s the kicker: the FBI never asked for that footage. Cameras from nearby federal buildings—like the Federal Bureau of Prisons—could have helped identify the builders. But according to the report, none of these agencies were ever contacted for their footage.

A Convenient Prop for an Inconvenient Truth

Let’s recap: a mysterious group shows up with lumber, builds a structure in plain view, and leaves it there for over a day. Then, Capitol staff destroy it before anyone bothers to ask questions.

Why?

It’s hard not to wonder if the gallows were more valuable as a symbol than as evidence. President Biden’s false claims about their purpose, coupled with the lack of investigation, paint a troubling picture. Were they built by protestors? Were they part of a federal operation? We’ll probably never know, because the very people tasked with safeguarding the truth seem to have erased it.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray about this during a July hearing. Wray admitted he wasn’t aware of any “physical gallows,” calling it more of a “replica or symbol.” When asked if the builders were FBI informants, Wray had no answers.

What we do know is that the destruction of the gallows effectively wiped out any chance of finding the truth. And that should alarm everyone.

Our Take

Here’s the problem: when institutions meant to uphold justice fail to investigate key events—or worse, actively destroy evidence—it undermines public trust. The lack of curiosity about the J6 gallows raises serious questions. Were they ignored because they didn’t fit the narrative? Were they part of a broader operation?

Whatever the reason, this incident sets a dangerous precedent. By failing to investigate and preserve evidence, government entities are signaling that transparency and accountability are optional. And when the truth becomes expendable, so does democracy.

No matter which side of the political aisle you’re on, the gallows saga should concern you. It’s a chilling reminder of what happens when power goes unchecked.