Michigan state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey has apologized for calling the attack on the U.S. Capitol a hoax.
“I said some things in a videoed conversation that are not fitting for the role I am privileged to serve. I own that. I have many flaws. Being passionate coupled with an occasional lapse in restraint of tongue are at least two of them,” Shirkey said in a statement. “I regret the words I chose, and I apologize for my insensitive comments.”
Shirkey during a dinner last week with leaders of the Hillsdale County Republican Party said the attack, which left five people dead, was staged.
“That wasn’t [former President Donald] Trump’s people. That’s been a hoax from day one. That was all prearranged,” Shirkey, a Republican, said. “It was arranged by somebody who was funding it. … It was all staged.”
He also suggested Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was part of a staged insurrection and that there was a darker conspiracy at play.
“I think they wanted to have a mess,” Shirkey said. “They would have had to recruit this other group of people.
“I think there are people above elected officials,” he added. “There are puppeteers.”
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.