The Select Committee isn't done investigating—or sharing their blistering findings—regarding January 6, 2021 quite yet. And at tonight's hearing, perhaps the final convening, they want to account for the hours of inaction by former President Donald Trump that afternoon. Show The first presentation took place on June 10, where the reps laid out their plan: They seek to prove that there was nothing random about the violent insurrection at the capitol and that it was, in fact, orchestrated by Trump. Subsequent hearings have included bombshell testimony from former aid Cassidy Hutchinson, who described Trump's and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows' damning responses to the rioting; news that Senator Ron Johnson wanted to hand deliver fake electors' votes to former vice president, Mike Pence, just before he was meant to certify the election results; and, most recently, that Trump had always planned to make the attack look "unexpected," as revealed via texts from January 6 rally organizer Kylie Kremer and Mike Lindell (yes, the pillow guy). Last Tuesday, during the most recent hearing, Twitter was also a main topic of discussion in the chamber. Committee member Rep. Jamie Raskin said that Trump's tweet on Dec. 19, 2020, "electrified" people who were upset over the results of the 2020 election. ("Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!" it read.) Also, in that same hearing, Rep. Liz Cheney alleged that Trump tried to contact a witness who hasn't yet testified. When Is the Next Jan. 6 Hearing?The next hearing is scheduled for tonight, Thursday, July 21. Led by Rep. Elaine Luria and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, it will begin at 8 p.m. ET. Rep. Cheney has said that the agenda is to lay out a minute-by-minute breakdown of Trump's hours-long failure to quell the mob during the invasion. As for future hearings, committee's chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson has only gone so far as to say that Thursday is the "last one—at this point." The hearing will broadcast across major news outlets, including ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, as well as on YouTube. Fox News will not carry it live, instead airing the hearing on the lesser-watched Fox Business. Lexi Carson is a writer from Orlando, Florida, with an interest in movies, music and culture. This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Media ContactGovernment AffairsPart of a SeriesStorms roll over Capitol Hill ahead of the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol hearing in Washington, D.C., July 2022. (Getty/Tom Brenner for The Washington Post)
If there is no accountability for Jan. 6—for every part of this scheme—I fear that we will not overcome the ongoing threat to our democracy. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) This month, the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol will resume public hearings. The committee, led by Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Vice Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY), has already laid out a detailed presentation of evidence that shows the wide-ranging conspiracy that led to the deadly insurrection and that continues to threaten our democracy. The evidence shows that this was a multifaceted conspiracy orchestrated by former President Donald Trump and his extremist MAGA allies to nullify the votes of millions of Americans and block the peaceful transfer of presidential power. The evidence also confirms that Trump’s “big lie” about a stolen election was just that: a massive act of deception aimed at fraudulently remaining in power. As committee members prepare for a new series of hearings and head toward the conclusion of their investigation, we can expect to hear from more witnesses, learn new information about what led to the attack, and better understand how this ongoing threat to our democracy is alive and spreading. In addition, the committee is preparing a report that should include findings and recommend actions to ensure that this type of attack cannot recur, while also addressing the persistent threats to our democracy illustrated through the investigation of the attack. Trump, with help from his extremist MAGA allies, came dangerously close to executing a coup—remaining in power despite losing an election—which would have been a horrendous first in American history. The committee’s investigation has exposed the criminals and liars at the heart of this conspiracy as well as the ongoing threats to our democracy that aim to take away our broader freedoms. This cannot happen again. We must hold those responsible accountable. Trump and his allies led a multifaceted conspiracy to overturn the electionThe initial January 6 hearings presented shocking evidence on how Trump and his allies planned, promoted, and paid for this conspiracy. While the attack on the Capitol took place on January 6, the evidence shows Trump and his allies plotted to overturn the election for months, with a strategy laid out in briefings, memos, and PowerPoints.
These hearings must serve as a warning for what may lie aheadTrump and MAGA extremists will continue trying to seize power regardless of the outcome of an election. They are already passing state laws to make it easier to overturn election results and make it harder for people—especially people of color—to vote. Expect them to continue to change state laws, threaten state and local officials, spread disinformation, use violence, and pack election administration offices so that they can have the final say over election results. If they don’t like the results, they have made clear they will change the rules. The Center for American Progress has proposed many recommendations that would help deter the ongoing attacks on democracy. Here are some of the ways to fight these threats:
ConclusionThe initial January 6 hearings have already exposed much of Trump’s brazen scheme to block the peaceful transfer of power. However, the American people deserve to know the whole truth. The final hearings and subsequent report should shine more light on how MAGA extremists organized this violent attack on our democracy, as well as recommend ways to hold those involved accountable. Without accountability, they may do it again. Follow CAP on Twitter as coverage of the hearings of the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol resumes September 28. The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible. Explore The Series
Donald Trump and MAGA extremists carried out a violent attempt to take over the Capitol and overturn the 2020 presidential election. The January 6 House Select Committee hearings continue to provide evidence of these activities and illustrate how MAGA extremists will keep fighting to put themselves in power regardless of future election outcomes. Americans must hold those involved accountable and show that no one is above the law in the United States. Previous
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