House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan announced on January 6 that a select committee has been created to examine the causes and consequences of an attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 by supporters of former President Donald Trump to disrupt Joe Biden’s electoral victory certification ceremony.
However, the committee has been plagued with controversy and partisan discord after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected two of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s nominations of five Republican members; Jim Jordan from Ohio and Jim Banks from Indiana.
Pelosi stated her decision was based on Jordan and Banks, who are staunch allies of President Donald Trump and have supported his false allegations of election fraud while also downplaying its severity.
McCarthy responded by withdrawing all five Republican members and accusing Pelosi of engaging in an “egregious abuse of power”.
Jordan also blamed Pelosi for the security flaws which allowed rioters to breach the Capitol and suggested she was trying to cover up her responsibility.
Jim Jordan Background
Jordan and Banks are two of the prominent members of the House Freedom Caucus, an influential coalition of conservative Republicans who support President Donald Trump and his agenda.
Both lawmakers voted against certifying some electoral votes for Biden after the riot had taken place, as well as against impeaching Trump for inciting it.
Jordan has been one of the strongest voices defending Trump in Congress, particularly during his first impeachment trial for dealings with Ukraine. Additionally, he frequently attacks Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders for conducting what he views as a witch hunt against Trump.
Banks is also an outspoken supporter of Trump and his policies, leading a delegation of Republicans to visit the US-Mexico border recently and criticizing Biden for driving migrants across.
Banks issued a statement after being named to McCarthy’s committee, informing everyone he would use his position to investigate “hundreds of violent political riots” that occurred due to protests for racial justice in 2020. Banks also claimed Pelosi created the committee solely to malign conservatives.
Controversy
On July 21st, Pelosi made an unexpected announcement: she would not accept Jordan and Banks onto her committee due to concerns over their integrity and credibility.
She claimed she spoke to McCarthy and agreed with three of his choices for senator: Rodney Davis of Illinois, Kelly Armstrong from North Dakota and Troy Nehls from Texas; however she objected to Jordan and Banks due to their involvement in “denying or downplaying” events from January 6.
Pelosi indicated she made her decision “with due regard for the integrity of the investigation, an emphasis on finding truthful evidence, and consideration given to statements and actions taken by these members”.
McCarthy described Pelosi’s move as an act of political cynicism and concluded it showed she wasn’t interested in undertaking an impartial probe.
He made clear his intentions to withhold any appointments of Republican members to the committee unless Pelosi reversed her decision and threatened a separate Republican-led investigation of the riot.
Jordan voiced his displeasure with Pelosi’s decision, suggesting she was unwilling to face questions from himself and Banks.
He charged that Pelosi is ultimately accountable for the security lapse at the Capitol on January 6, asserting that only she has the authority to request National Guard assistance.
He further speculated that Pelosi had advanced knowledge of an impending attack but failed to respond accordingly.
“Why wasn’t there an appropriate security presence at the Capitol that day?” Jordan demanded in a news conference. “Only one person can answer this question: the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.”
Facts
The Speaker of the House does not oversee Capitol security – that responsibility rests with the Capitol Police Board, which oversees US Capitol Police operations and approves National Guard assistance requests.
The Capitol Police Board consists of four members. These are: House Sergeant at Arms elected by House, Senate Sergeant at Arms elected by Senate, Architect of Capitol voted in by both chambers, and Chief of Capitol Police appointed by both bodies.
According to testimony provided by former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund, he approached both Sergeants at Arms on January 4 in order to request National Guard support on January 6, but his request was denied.
Sund reported being told to find out how quickly National Guard assistance could arrive if necessary and to “be proactive” should he need it on January 6.
Sund further indicated he did not communicate with Pelosi or her staff regarding any security preparations or requests for National Guard support prior to or during January 6.
Pelosi claims she was never informed about security arrangements for January 6. She has called for an independent commission to assess what went wrong and to explore ways of preventing future attacks.
FAQs: The Ultimate guide to your questions
Q: What is the purpose of the Select Committee?
A: The select committee’s charter requires them to investigate and report on “the facts, circumstances and causes surrounding the January 6th domestic terrorist attack on the United States Capitol Complex”, as well as interference or impediments to peaceful power transfers.
Q: Who are the members of the select committee?
A: The select committee comprises 13 members: eight appointed by Pelosi and five selected by McCarthy with Pelosi’s approval.
Pelosi has appointed eight Democrats and one Republican so far: Bennie Thompson of Mississippi will serve as chair; Zoe Lofgren from California; Adam Schiff from California; Pete Aguilar from California; Stephanie Murphy from Florida; Jamie Raskin of Maryland; Elaine Luria of Virginia and Liz Cheney of Wyoming who was removed by House Republicans due to criticisms she leveled against President Donald Trump for inciting violence during Charlottesville protests.
McCarthy has yet to appoint any Republicans after Pelosi rejected two of his nominees: Jordan and Banks.
Q: When will the select committee’s work commence?
A: On July 27, the select committee hosted its initial hearing and heard testimony from four police officers injured while protecting the Capitol against rioters.
The committee plans to hold more hearings, subpoena witnesses and documents, and issue its final report by early 2019.
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