On Tuesday, after Capitol rioterStephen Ayrestestified before the Jan. 6 select committee, he apologized to Capitol Police officers.

A devout follower of then-PresidentDonald Trump,Ayres said he believed the 2020 election had been stolen — because Trump said so. Ayres testified that he “didn’t actually plan to go down” to the Capitol, but after Trump alluded to marching alongside supporters there, the group made their way to the central government building. “We basically were just following what he said.”

After Jan. 6, Ayres said he took a break from social media and “started doing my own research and everything,” which led him to understand the gravity of Trump’s conspiracy theories. He urged people who still believe Trump’s election lies to “take the blinders off” and to “make sure you step back and see what’s going on. Before it’s too late.”

Stephen Ayres shakes hands with Metropolitan Police officer Daniel Hodges.Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

Stephen Ayres, who pleaded guilty last in June 2022 to disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, shakes hands with Washington Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges as the hearing with House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol ends at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 12, 2022

After testifying on Tuesday, Ayres approached Capitol and D.C. police officers to apologize and shake hands with them. The people he greeted included Capitol officer Harry Dunn, former D.C. officer Michael Fanone, D.C. officer Daniel Hodges, and Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell.

Stephen Ayres greets Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell.Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

Stephen Ayres, who pleaded guilty last in June 2022 to disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, greets U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell as the hearing with the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol ens at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

Stephen Ayres greets Erin Smith, widow of Capitol Police officer Jeffrey Smith.Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

Stephen Ayres, who pleaded guilty last in June 2022 to disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, greets Erin Smith, widow of U.S. Capitol Police officer Jeffrey Smith, as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol hearing concludes at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

“I’m really sorry,” Ayres told Officer Dunn, according toNBC News.

Later,a photo of Ayres shaking Dunn’s hand was postedwith the caption “An apology given and accepted.” Dunn retweeted the photo with a new, pointed caption, “*Apology given…”

Shutterstock

Stephen Ayres, left, who pleaded guilty to entering the Capitol illegally on January 6, talks with US Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn, right, following day seven of the United States House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. US House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol Hearing, Washington, District of Columbia, USA - 12 Jul 2022

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Ayres' testimony was part of the seventh public House hearing related to the 2021 Capitol riots. The session focused on Trump’s role in summoning people to the Capitol on Jan. 6 to help stop Biden from becoming president.

Jason Van Tatenhove, former national media director for the far-right militia Oath Keepers, also testified.

source: people.com