A House Select Committee is investigating the case on Jan. 6. attack on The Capitol sent letters on Monday to three House Republicans demanding their testimony: Representatives Andy Biggs (R-Arizona), Moe Brooks (R-Alabama), and Ronnie Jackson (R-Texas).
Why is it important: Letters indicate escalation in the efforts of committee members to extract information from their Republican counterparts total amount of members were looking for out through panel.
- first The three lawmakers they tried to question were House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Freedom Caucus chairman Scott Perry, and senior House Judiciary Committee member Jim Jordan.
- All three refused to appear voluntarily in court. panel.
- Rep. Benny Thompson (D-Miss), Chairman of committee, Axios said last week he is still weighing subpoenas.
Driving news: Letter to Jackson, a close ally of former President Trump who once served as his personal physician and medical advisor, includes lyrics between members of far Right Oath Keepers, one of groups involved in in attack.
- In texts dated by day of January 6, unknown group members wrote that Jackson “needs [Oath Keeper] help”and” needs protection”because he has”critical data for protection.
- “Help with what?” Stuart Rhodes, groupleader, wrote back. Give him my cell phone.
- “Why might these people be interested in your specific location? Why did they believe that you have critical data to protect? Why would they tell their members to protect your privacy? safety? Thompson writes to Jackson.
Go deeper: Other letters cite recent revelations about the involvement of participants. in January 6 – deepening up or in testimonies of other witnesses or public Comments of the members themselves.
What they say: “We call on our colleagues to join hundreds of faces who shared information with Select Committee,” Thompson and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wayo), panelvice chairman, said in statement.
Another side: “I won’t participate in the ruthless crusade of the illegal Committee against President Trump and his allies,” Jackson said. in Application for Axios.
- “I don’t know and I didn’t have contact with those who exchanged text messages about me on January 6,” he said. added.
What next: Additional requests to members can be in work if Thompson public comments are any indication.
- He said at the Capitol last week of this tranche of requests will cover more than three legislators and includes senators.
- committee representative declined to comment on in record.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated with Statement by Rep. Ronnie Jackson.
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