House GOP Creates Subcommittee to Revisit Jan. 6 Events

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced Wednesday the establishment of a new select subcommittee to reinvestigate events before and after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The move comes as Republicans seek to counter findings from the original bipartisan investigation conducted during the 117th Congress.

“House Republicans are proud of our work so far in exposing the false narratives peddled by the politically motivated January 6 Select Committee, but there is still more work to be done,” Johnson stated. He added that the subcommittee’s purpose is to “uncover the full truth that is owed to the American people.”

While Johnson did not specify what “false narratives” he believes were presented by the original committee, the new panel is set to operate under the jurisdiction of the House Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., who chairs the House Administration Committee’s Oversight Subcommittee, will lead the new effort.

Loudermilk’s Role Draws Scrutiny

Loudermilk’s appointment as chair has raised eyebrows due to his controversial involvement in a Capitol tour on January 5, 2021, which included Trevor Hallgren, a rioter later recorded making violent threats against Democratic lawmakers during the attack. The original Jan. 6 committee reported that Hallgren photographed staircases and hallways during Loudermilk’s tour—images that raised security concerns.

In response to the new subcommittee’s mission, Loudermilk stated, “What happened at the Capitol that day was the result of a series of intelligence, security, and leadership failures at multiple levels within numerous entities.”

Republican Efforts to Reframe Jan. 6

This announcement comes amidst efforts by Republican lawmakers to reframe the narrative surrounding January 6. In one of his last acts as president, Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to members of the original Jan. 6 committee, including Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. Loudermilk previously suggested, without evidence, that Cheney may have violated federal laws during her tenure on the committee.

The original Jan. 6 committee conducted a nearly two-year investigation, holding 10 public hearings in 2022 that highlighted efforts by former President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election. Despite its findings, Republicans have increasingly downplayed the Capitol attack, with some falsely attributing it to leftist groups like antifa.

Trump, recently inaugurated for his second term, pardoned nearly all individuals convicted for their roles in the Capitol riot, including those charged with assaulting law enforcement. Defending the decision, Johnson said the pardons were an effort to “turn the page” and focus on the future.

“We’re not looking backward, we’re looking forward,” Johnson told reporters on Wednesday.

What’s Next for the Subcommittee?

The new subcommittee is expected to revisit key aspects of the original investigation, potentially challenging its conclusions and reframing public perception of the events. Critics have expressed concern that the effort could undermine the bipartisan findings of the first investigation and minimize the gravity of the Capitol attack.

As Republicans intensify their push to reshape the narrative, the subcommittee’s work could further polarize an already divided Congress and deepen public debate over the legacy of January 6.

About J. Williams

Check Also

National Nuclear Security Administration

Trump Administration’s Mass Firings Lead to Chaos at Nuclear Security Agency

The Trump administration’s rapid-fire approach to slashing federal jobs has led to unexpected turmoil within …

Leave a Reply