WASHINGTON -- A British filmmaker walked into an Irish pub and was immediately recognized an hour after he had been the star of Jan. 6's public hearing.
"You're that guy," said the man behind the bar who had just watched Nick Quested testify live on television.
This bar is very popular among police officers. The memorabilia displayed includes signs taken from patrol cars by law enforcement officers. Quested was also grateful to the man for telling the story of Jan. 6.
Quested had just finished a video which led him to appear before the House Committee investigating the Capitol riot. His film, which he shot with Enrique Tarrio (former leader of Proud Boys) and other members of the group on Jan. 6, has been central to both the investigation of the panel and the Justice Department's extensive probe into the Capitol siege.
The documentaryarian captured footage of Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes, founder of Oath Keepers, in an underground garage on Jan. 6th. Also footage of Proud Boys at the frontlines of the Capitol attack.
Quested, in an interview with NBC News after his testimony on Thursday night, described his appearance as "the most nerve-wracking encounter of my career."
"You can feel the power and influence of Congress. He said, "It's obvious, serious, and important." "It was an honor to testify in such a way. I believe it's important that they find out the truth."
Quested, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, who directed a variety of music videos (including Trick Daddy’s 2001 hit "Take It To Da House") and before moving into documentary space, recalled how he was able build a relationship with the Proud Boys despite having strong disagreements with his subjects.
"Look, I'm a funny man. Quested stated, "I tell jokes." Quested said, "I am always laughing and probing for commonality. It's my way of being extraverted. Because I couldn't talk to girls in bars, I was always upset at my friends who were able to do it. But I can talk to militias or guys!"
He claimed that he did not realize there was a plan for the Capitol to be stormed, even though he saw them marching around it in a MSNBC appearance Friday. He realized what was going on only after the barriers were broken.
Quested stated that while the Proud Boys did not show any interest in Trump's rally at the White House, Quested claimed he didn't think there was anything sinister.
Quested stated that the attack could have been worse if police had not been able to stop rioters from reaching senators or members of Congress.
"The crowd was so angry I couldn't even imagine what would've happened if they were in the same room as [members] of Congress at the same moment."
Quested stated to MSNBC that he believed the video presentation of the committee had provided an "erudite, concise roadmap" of the events during the attack. This is in addition to the case they are building over the seven public hearings.
