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In the immediate aftermath of former Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger’s death on June 27, 2022, conspiracy theories began flying on social media. Last night I had the opportunity to speak with one of Stenger’s close friends about the final months of his life.
In Stenger’s only Senate testimony following #Jan6, he famously said in his opening statement:
“Investigations should be considered as to funding and travel of what appears to be professional agitators.” (February 23, 2021)
“Investigations should be considered as to funding and travel of what appears to be professional agitators.” (February 23, 2021)
Stenger was one of the only high-ranking J6 figures to insinuate there might have been such an organized assault on the Capitol, rather than a riot spontaneously instigated by Trump’s speech at The Ellipse. That’s all the conspiracy purveyors needed.
Despite the fact that Chad Pergram - Fox News Congressional reporter - tweeted, “Fox is told that Stenger had been suffering from cancer,” the first conspiracy being shared by Twitter users and bloggers was . . .
“Stenger arrived in a friend's car and was dropped off across the street. As Stenger crossed the street toward his apartment, he was shot and killed. The shooting was partially captured on surveillance video from cameras on a nearby building.”
Stenger didn’t live in an “apartment,” but rather, a Falls Church, VA house. It turns out, someone found a story about the 2013 murder of another “Michael Stenger” in Oakland, CA, and “cut/copy/pasted” the above quote from that story. Obviously, a purposeful troll.
The second rumor to be quickly and easily dismissed - but STILL persists - was that Stenger was scheduled to testify the morning following his death before a J6 House Select Committee hearing. It simply wasn’t true.
That surprise hearing featured Cassidy Hutchinson, the former aide to Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Stenger was never on the docket for that hearing.
In my own story about Stenger’s death, I referenced his Senate testimony, and that I thought he already appeared ill. I watched the entire 4-hour hearing and wrote: “During the entire video, Stenger appears distant and detached. One might even assume . . . ‘not well.’”
Last night I asked Stenger’s close friend if it was true that he died of cancer, or if - the result of another persisting rumor - he had committed suicide. The answer was clear and credible, and I hope puts the rumors and conspiracies to rest:
“No, no. He did not commit suicide. I stayed in fairly close contact with him [after January 6] . . . We went out to lunch a couple of times . . . he had a bad form of cancer . . .
“I could see he was just deteriorating before my eyes. He couldn’t drive anymore, and I had to pick him up. He [also] dealt with a really bad blood-borne infection, probably about a year before he retired. Before January 6.”
I referenced the Senate testimony, in which I thought Stenger already appeared sick, and the friend responded: “I think you’re probably right. I’ve known him for many years, and he was always sharp . . . very quick-witted . . . but you could see there was a definite decline.”
Hopefully, this puts to bed all the false stories. Former Senate SSA Michael C. Stenger was not shot crossing the street. He was not scheduled for that House hearing. He did not commit suicide. May he rest in peace.
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