Bobby Powell, a dedicated journalist and U.S. Marine, has died at the age of 65 from a heart attack. His family announced his passing on September 5, 2025. Powell played a key role as a witness during the January 6th trials, known for his unwavering commitment to uncovering what he referred to as the “whole truth” about the Capitol events.
In a pivotal interview conducted on November 8, 2023, on the Justice in Jeopardy podcast, Powell detailed his experiences that fateful day. He was present at the Capitol, where he reported live on the violence erupting. “On January 6th, I was at the Capitol reporting the violence,” he said. Powell claimed to have recorded two undercover federal agents engaging in aggressive actions, including one pulling a window from its frame and another using a pole to push individuals, including defendant Nancy Barron, inside the building.
Despite presenting 29 minutes of high-definition video as evidence shortly after the incident, Powell faced significant obstacles. He became increasingly frustrated with law enforcement’s inaction. “All six times that I have offered to [give the FBI all my footage], I have been denied,” he stated, emphasizing the challenges he faced in getting the truth out. He lodged a formal complaint with the Department of Justice Inspector General regarding this lack of recognition.
Powell’s testimony eventually supported several defendants, including Barron, Ryan Zink, and Rebecca Lavrenz. However, the process was fraught with difficulty. In recounting his experience in court, Powell revealed a startling reality: judicial restrictions limited his ability to present crucial parts of his findings. “They would not allow me to do that because they kept on objecting,” he recounted. He faced explicit bans on mentioning “Antifa” or “undercover federal agents.” This led to a prolonged battle in which the prosecution fought valiantly to keep him from the witness stand, branding his testimony as “prejudicial to the government.”
The toll of this experience hit Powell hard. During the trial for Rebecca Lavrenz, his health took a sharp decline, culminating in a mild heart attack he suffered in the federal courthouse. This came just after he had finished testifying, showcasing the intense stress and emotional burden he bore throughout these proceedings.
Those close to Powell remembered him not just for his journalistic pursuits but for his generous spirit. He poured his resources into his investigations, often at great personal expense. “He had a huge heart and spent every last penny of his own,” friends remarked, highlighting his dedication to his work and the search for truth, which left him financially strained.
Following Powell’s death, his son, Adam, reached out on social media to share the heartbreaking news. He expressed his struggles in managing the funeral costs, underscoring the family’s difficult circumstances during this tragic time. “My dad passed away from a heart attack,” he wrote, “and I’m struggling to cover the funeral expenses.”
Despite his passing, Bobby Powell’s legacy endures as a testament to resilience and the fight for truth. His final interviews capture the essence of a man determined to share what he believed was right, proclaiming, “Any time anybody wants me to come up here, I will come up here and I will tell the truth.” His commitment to transparency and justice resonates within those who knew him and continues to inspire the ongoing discourse surrounding the events of January 6th.
In the wake of his death, supporters have taken steps to help the Powell family, establishing a fundraiser to assist with funeral costs. This serves as a reminder of the impact Powell made during his life, both as a Marine and as a journalist who refused to be silenced. Semper Fi.
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