Speaker Johnson, Republicans At Odds Over January 6 Investigation
House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican leading the investigation are at an impasse on how to move forward with their probe into the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Three sources familiar with the discussions revealed that Johnson prefers that Republicans scale back the scope of the previous January 6 committee’s inquiry and bring it to a close, which would include ceasing investigations into former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney.
However, some White House officials back GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s push for a broader investigative scope, given that he was chosen to head the probe. CNN previously reported that President Donald Trump had told Johnson before his swearing-in that making this investigation a priority was important to him.
According to sources, Loudermilk’s new select subcommittee, which Johnson introduced in January, has not yet commenced its work due to ongoing internal disagreements that have stalled the process.
“I told former Speaker Kevin McCarthy that I would accept the challenge under two conditions: I would have the autonomy and resources necessary to effectively pursue the facts without political bias or outside influence, and I would have the authority to report whatever we find to the American people,” Loudermilk stated in a Thursday statement to CNN. McCarthy had asked him to oversee House Republicans’ inquiry into the security lapses at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, as well as the previous committee established by Speaker Pelosi. Loudermilk maintains that such an investigation is still essential for uncovering the full truth.
During the previous Congress, Loudermilk primarily focused on the work of the earlier January 6 committee. The House GOP report concluded with a recommendation that the FBI investigate Cheney’s role in the Capitol attack inquiry.
Sources also indicated that the limited scope of the new investigation would exclude an examination of security preparedness before the attack, as well as future security measures for the Capitol.
Last month, Loudermilk stated that Speaker Johnson had assured him that his investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol would be “formalized as a new committee.”
This initiative is part of a broader Republican strategy to continue several investigations from the previous Congress, now that they hold control of both chambers and the White House.
Loudermilk mentioned that details regarding the new committee are still being finalized. One possibility is structuring it in a way that would grant Johnson more control over member appointments and overall operations, making it a “select committee.”
The decision to establish a new committee to amplify Loudermilk’s work—including a report recommending the FBI investigate former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney—ensures that Republican efforts to shield President Donald Trump from blame for the January 6 violence remain in focus.
“It was so singularly focused that basically Trump created this entire problem,” Loudermilk said about the previous January 6 select committee, led in part by Adam Schiff and Liz Cheney. “When in reality, it was a multitude of failures at different levels.”
Johnson has publicly committed to ensuring that the new January 6 investigation will be “fully funded.”
“Continuing its investigation into the previous January 6 select committee – which featured Cheney as a vice chair and had another Republican member – and broader security response to the Capitol attack is not the only way Republicans plan to use their new majority to carry over their previous investigations that remain politically charged,” CNN reported.
“Republicans re-issued subpoenas related to special counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents and two Justice Department tax investigators who worked on the Hunter Biden case on Monday, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Those subpoenas would renew pursuits by the previous Congress that have been fought over in court – and not resolved – for months,” the outlet added.
California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff is contemplating whether to reject a pardon issued by former President Joe Biden to individuals involved in the Congressional investigation into the January 6 riot, including himself.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Schiff discussed the potential “blowback” of accepting a pardon, given that he had previously argued—during Trump’s first term—that accepting a pardon was an “admission of guilt.”
As part of a last-minute wave of pardons aimed at protecting allies from potential retaliatory actions by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden granted clemency to a select group of individuals. However, this decision carries complications for those pardoned.
Among the recipients of Biden’s pardons were former Wyoming Republican congresswoman and Jan. 6 Committee co-chair Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci. According to Biden’s aides, this move was intended to preempt any retaliatory measures by Trump or his incoming administration.
However, legal analysts were quick to note that these pardons do not exempt the recipients from testifying under oath if they are subpoenaed.