Jan 6th Committee Ramps Up Investigation

On January 6th, 2021, Pro-Trump protesters broke into the U.S. Congress building, forcing then Vice President, Mike Pence, to evacuate along with the Senate, and House of Representatives. This was the first time since 1814, during the War of 1812, that the Congress building fell. The British burned the White House, and Congress building to the ground in retaliation for the previous year, where US forces burned the Canadian Capital of York. The Pro-Trump rioters stalled the election process until night, when Vice President Mike Pence, approved the election results, installing then President-Elect Joe Biden as the future US President.

Before Jan 6th, the FBI was warned and tipped of the soon to be insurrection at the US Capital. Despite hundreds of warnings, the FBI ignored them, instead dismissing them as not serious. This then resulted in the lack of security around the capital, and the eventual fall of the US Capital to rioters. There were also fears from top officials like Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, who placed obstacles for President Trump to deploy the national guard at a National level, like martial law. This was due to President Trump replacing top Pentagon officials days after the election, putting people that were loyal to him in power days after the election was called.

When asked, a Pentagon official, who wishes to remain anonymous said the abrupt changes are making higher ups nervous. “I would say the civilian senior leaders are very worried, but they don’t know who’s next or what’s happening,” the official said. “You can’t even mention transition at the Pentagon.” he said while speaking to NPR. Another top official, Mark Esper, noted days before his own firing “Who’s going to come in behind me? It’s going to be a real ‘yes’ man. And then God help us.”

The D.C Capitol Police were also highly unorganized, with some even participating in the riot, and encouraging it. D.C Capitol Police eventually retreated, and allowed the Capital building to fall. Trapping dozens of Congressmen and Congresswoman inside the building. House speaker Nancy Pelosi was evacuated, along with then Vice President Mike Pence, and House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy. Many Pro-Trump protesters waving Confederate flags inside the Capital building, an anonymous message about the country’s past.

Once Congress fell, President Trump blocked multiple calls for the National Guard to be called to the Capitol. Vetoing multiple attempts, many were by his allies like Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to call in the National Guard. President Trump allowed Congress to be held for 3 hours, before finally calling in the National Guard. Many claims were made regarding Nancy Pelosi, claiming she denied National Guard relief for the capital. “On January 6th, the Speaker, a target of an assassination attempt that day, was no more in charge of Capitol security than Mitch McConnell was. This is a clear attempt to whitewash what happened on January 6th and divert blame,” Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Pelosi told The Associated Press in an email. While Ex-Capitol Police Chief said his calls for the National Guard were denied 6 times throughout the day, he later resigned in the following days.

Many protesters who gained access to the Congress floor, carried weapons and zip-ties. Many assumed to take congressmen and congresswoman as hostages. Congressional offices were ransacked, and important documents and devices stolen, many of which have been returned. Others stole podiums, and personal items as they ransacked the Capitol. Many protesters carrying Confederate flags, while other protesters erected gallows with a noose on it. While inside, many chanted ‘Hang Mike Pence’ and searched for Nancy Pelosi.

After Congress was retaken, and the Senate was able to return, the election process continued. Many Republicans however, still stood firm on denying the election to Joe Biden, and voted against certifying the state’s votes. As a result of the assault, 6 people lost their lives either during, or after the attack. While another 140 casualties, mostly officers were reported. This event leads to the 2nd impeachment of Donald J. Trump, the only U.S. President to be impeached twice.

Many of these factors helped raise suspicion around what happened behind the scenes with the Former President. The amount of wrongs that happened, and misconduct that was done by government agencies prompt an immediate investigation into what happened. Holding those accountable, and not allowing this to happen again is the best solution to allow Democracy to continue in the United States. Those who don’t learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.

The January 6 Committee, a committee that has been formed to gather evidence of wrongdoing on the day of the attack issued subpoenas to officials close to Former President Donald Trump, in order to figure out why the capitol fell on January 6th.

As of November 9th, 2021, new subpoenas were announced to gather information from witnesses, and people who were in close contact with the former president. If refused to cooperate with the investigation, they can be charged with contempt of congress. Steve Bannon is one of the most prominent figures from the previous administration to be charged. Former President Donald Trump warns his followers to not comply with the authorities, and to disobey court orders. However, due to criminal charges that can be levied against people of interest, many have broken ranks with the Former President, and testified against him. Many provide records and their story to the committee to paint a more clear picture of what happened behind the scenes of that day.

The January 6 Committee, a committee that has been formed to gather evidence of wrongdoing on the day of the attack, announced new subpoenas to 6 more officials. This includes: “Bill Stepien, manager of Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign; Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the campaign; Angela McCallum, national executive assistant to the campaign; John Eastman, a lawyer who advised the former president; Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser to Trump who talked with Trump ahead of the insurrection; and Bernard Kerik, who the committee says paid for hotel rooms that served as command centers ahead of Jan. 6.” according to the PressHerald.

As of November 10th, 2021, Former President Donald J. Trump fights in court to prevent records of his calls, and communications secret. Almost, if not all of his lawsuits, and attempts to stall have been denied by the courts. President Trump has tried citing ‘Executive privilege’ as a reason to prevent the files from landing in the committee’s hands, however, the courts disagree. In a 39-Page ruling, Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said “Mr. Trump does not acknowledge the deference owed to the incumbent president’s judgment. His position that he may override the express will of the executive branch appears to be premised on the notion that his executive power ‘exists in perpetuity,’” Judge Chutkan wrote. “But presidents are not kings, and plaintiff is not president.”. While the Biden Administration also refuses to exert executive privilege to protect the Former President’s records.

As of now, the investigation continues, with more than 691 rioters arrested, and charged. With more awaiting trial, or being searched for in the United States.