House Speaker Unveils Subcommittee Aiming to Reveal ‘Complete Truth’ About January 6th Events
The panel will be chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk under the auspices of the House Judiciary Committee.
House Republicans, spearheaded by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), have introduced a select subcommittee tasked with investigating the events surrounding the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.
The committee will operate under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee, he explained.
“House Republicans take pride in our efforts thus far to dismantle the misleading narratives pushed by the politically motivated January 6 Select Committee during the 117th Congress, but substantial work remains,” the speaker commented, referencing the now-dissolved committee led by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).
Minimal details have emerged regarding the specific scope of their inquiries and whom they might target.
“The events at the Capitol that day stemmed from a multitude of failures in intelligence, security, and leadership across various entities,” Loudermilk remarked in the statement, emphasizing that this will continue the “investigation into the events.”
In one of his final actions in office, President Joe Biden announced a preemptive pardon for Cheney, Thompson, and several other members of the January 6 subcommittee. Previously, in January, the former president awarded the second-highest civilian honor to Cheney and Thompson for their service on the panel.
Later, Trump, at the beginning of his presidency, pardoned around 1,500 individuals charged with various crimes related to January 6, including members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers convicted of seditious conspiracy.
“This is a significant moment,” Trump commented in the Oval Office as he signed the pardons.
“We hope they are released tonight, to be honest.”
Many Democrats have voiced their disapproval of Trump’s actions.
“It is shameful that the President has prioritized betraying the police officers who risked their lives to thwart the attack on the peaceful transition of power,” stated former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who is still serving in Congress.
“Regardless of the President’s decision, we must always acknowledge the extraordinary bravery and fortitude of the law enforcement heroes who stood firm ensuring democracy prevailed on that dark day.”
During a news conference on Wednesday, Johnson affirmed to reporters that he would not “second-guess” the pardons granted by Trump.
“One could argue that those individuals didn’t face severe consequences, given they were incarcerated and all that. However, that decision lies with the president. We look ahead. Brighter days await us.”
In a related context, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) remarked in response to Trump’s decision, “Biden set this precedent,” alluding to the pardons issued for Cheney and family members of Biden.