A subpanel within the House Administration Committee has presented its initial assessment of the events of January 6th, a record previously deemed incomplete by Speaker Mike Johnson. This analysis follows the work of a special select panel from the previous Congress.
Committing to further hearings throughout the year, the committee commenced its efforts on Tuesday with a focus on the unsolved case involving two pipe bombs discovered at the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee headquarters on January 6th. The goal is to compile a final report before the conclusion of 2024.
Republicans, leveraging their majority status, utilized Monday’s analysis to revisit past disputes instigated by the Jan. 6 select committee. They accused the panel of breaching House rules and suppressing crucial evidence to undermine former President Donald Trump—an assertion vehemently rebuffed by the committee.
House GOP Provides Preliminary Assessment of Jan. 6 Select Committee’s Findings (Credits: POLITICO)
The 80-page report scrutinizes the origins and structure of the select committee, which withstood legal challenges from subpoenaed witnesses. It argues that the appointment of then-Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) as both vice chair and ranking minority member, violated House rules.
Additionally, Republicans criticized the panel for relinquishing sensitive transcripts to the White House and Department of Homeland Security, preventing public disclosure. The panel justified this action by citing agreements with the Biden administration, allowing witnesses—such as White House military aides, valets, and Secret Service officials—to review transcripts for operational details before release.
The report also revisits familiar criticisms of the select committee, characterizing its objectives as partisan. It questions the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, a significant witness who recounted details of Trump’s actions on January 6th, some of which she claimed to have received from other White House officials.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), leading the Administration subcommittee, criticized the select panel’s approach in the previous Congress, accusing it of relying on hearsay and selective information to pursue political objectives, particularly in prosecuting Trump.
Despite these criticisms, House Republicans have released extensive footage of the insurrection and pledged to continue doing so as more becomes available.
