Speaker Johnson, Republicans Divided Over January 6 Probe

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Barry Loudermilk, the Republican leading the January 6 investigation, are reportedly at odds over how to move forward with the inquiry into the 2021 Capitol attack, according to three sources familiar with ongoing discussions.

Sources told CNN that Johnson is pushing to "narrow the scope" of the investigation initiated by the previous January 6 committee, including halting further probes into figures like former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney. In contrast, Loudermilk, backed by some White House officials, is advocating for a broader approach. CNN had earlier reported that former President Donald Trump urged Johnson to prioritize the investigation before Johnson officially took over as Speaker.

The tension has delayed the launch of Loudermilk’s newly created select subcommittee, announced by Johnson in January. Behind-the-scenes disagreements have stalled negotiations on the investigation’s scope and authority.

In a statement to CNN, Loudermilk said, “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.” McCarthy initially tapped Loudermilk to lead the GOP’s probe into "Capitol security failures on January 6, 2021," and the work of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Select Committee, which Loudermilk says remains crucial for "effectively seeking the truth."

Previously, Loudermilk's efforts targeted the work of the original January 6 committee, culminating in a House GOP report recommending that the FBI investigate Cheney’s role in the inquiry.

Sources indicated that Johnson’s preference for a narrowed scope could mean the investigation avoids addressing key issues like "security readiness before the attack" and "future security measures" for the Capitol.

In March, Loudermilk said Johnson promised him that his probe into the January 6 attack would be "formalized as a new committee." This move fits into a broader GOP strategy to continue several investigations launched during the last Congress, now that Republicans control the House, Senate, and the White House.

Loudermilk explained that discussions are ongoing about the structure of the committee, including a proposal to give Johnson greater authority over appointments and committee operations.

Creating a new panel to showcase Loudermilk’s work — particularly his report recommending potential FBI charges against Liz Cheney — keeps the Republican efforts to shield Trump from blame over January 6 in the political spotlight.

Criticizing the former bipartisan committee led by Adam Schiff and Liz Cheney, Loudermilk said it was "so singularly focused that basically Trump created this entire problem," while he believes the events of January 6 were "a multitude of failures at different levels."

Speaker Johnson, for his part, has said the new investigation will be "fully funded."

CNN also noted that "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."

Additionally, CNN reported that 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," citing two sources familiar with the matter. These efforts revive unresolved court battles from the last Congress.

Meanwhile, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is reportedly considering rejecting a pardon granted by President Biden to those involved in the January 6 Congressional investigation, including himself. On NBC’s "Meet The Press," Schiff warned about possible "blowback" from accepting a pardon, recalling how he once argued that accepting a pardon equates to an "admission of guilt."

In a final round of pardons designed to "shield allies from potential reprisals" by incoming President Donald Trump, Biden issued clemency to a select group, including former Rep. Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci. However, legal experts quickly noted that these pardons do not protect recipients from being subpoenaed and compelled to testify under oath.