Former Capitol Police officer sues Blaze Media for defamation over Jan. 6 coverage

Former Capitol Police Officer Shauni Kerkhoff is suing Blaze Media and former reporter Steve Baker over their coverage of the Jan. 6, 2021, incident at the U.S. Capitol, asserting that the outlet falsely depicted the event as an "inside job" and labeled her as the Jan. 6 pipe bomber.

Authorities have arrested and charged Brian Cole Jr. with placing the pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters buildings.

The suit takes aim at a Nov. 8, 2025 article from the outlet, entitled "Former Capitol Police officer a forensic match for Jan. 6 pipe bomber, sources say." The article identified Kerkhoff and featured her image.

"To Defendants, it did not matter that the claim was nonsensical," the suit alleges. "And it did not matter that they lacked a shred of evidence. They simply made it up."

The suit further alleges that the coverage led to her being placed on administrative leave from her job at the CIA and stated that FBI agents searched her Alexandria, Va., home.

Kerkhoff is seeking an unspecified amount in damages and attorneys' fees.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.