The House Jan. 6 committee said Sunday it would interview other former Cabinet secretaries and was prepared to subpoena conservative activist Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, who is married to Supreme Court Justice Clarence. Thomas, as part of his investigation into the Capitol riot and former President Trump. role.
Lawmakers said they were deepening their investigation after a series of eight hearings in June and July culminating in a primetime session on Thursday, with plans to interview additional witnesses and meet again in September to resume the presentation. of their findings to the public.
“We plan to speak to other members of the president’s cabinet,” said Rep. Liz Cheney, vice chair of the committee. “We plan to speak to other members of his campaign. Admittedly, we are also very focused on the secret services.
Cheney (R-Wyo.) has not identified which Trump administration officials may come forward, but the committee has already made clear its interest in speaking with those who may have considered invoking a constitutional process in the 25th Amendment. to remove Trump from office following the January 6, 2021 riot, when hundreds of Trump supporters violently stormed the Capitol and disrupted certification of Joe Biden’s election.
The committee broadcast the testimony of former prosecutors. General William Barr, who said he told Trump that the widespread voter fraud allegations were “taurious” and had a “zero base”. At last week’s hearing, the committee heard testimony from then-Labour Secretary Eugene Scalia, who said he urged Trump to call a Cabinet meeting to discuss an orderly transition. power.
Other cabinet members have indicated they may have important details to share.
Betsy DeVos, the then-Secretary of Education, previously told USA Today that she raised with Vice President Mike Pence whether the Cabinet should consider invoking the 25th Amendment, which would have forced the Vice President and the majority of the Cabinet to come to an agreement. that the president could no longer fulfill his functions.
DeVos, in his January 7, 2021 resignation letter, accused Trump of inciting the mob. “There is no doubting the impact of your rhetoric on the situation, and this is the inflection point for me,” she wrote.
On the same day, Elaine Chao left her position as transport secretary. Chao, who is married to Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said the attack “deeply troubled me in ways that I just can’t put aside.”
Michael R. Pompeo, the then-Secretary of State who is eyeing a 2024 presidential election, and Steven T. Mnuchin, Trump’s Treasury Secretary, also reportedly discussed invoking the 25th Amendment, according to Jonathan. Karl from ABC. News in his book “Betrayal”.
“The floodgates have opened,” Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.) said of the next phase of the committee’s investigation.
Committee members also hope to learn more about Ginni Thomas’ own efforts to keep Trump in power and potential conflicts of interest for Clarence Thomas as a result, on January 6, cases were brought before the Supreme Court. The committee sent a letter to Ginni Thomas last month requesting an interview and hopes she will comply, Cheney said.
Ginni Thomas communicated with people in Trump’s orbit before the 2021 attack and also on the day of the uprising.
“We certainly hope she will agree to come voluntarily,” Cheney said. “But the committee is fully prepared to consider a subpoena if she doesn’t.”
Cheney also said that while the committee hasn’t decided whether or not to refer a criminal referral regarding Trump to the Justice Department, “it’s absolutely something we’re looking at.”
Added Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.): “I certainly think there’s evidence of crimes and I think it goes all the way to Donald Trump.”
Although a possible prosecution of Trump falls under the Department of Justice, the committee has used its hearings to try to make the case for his political viability as he plans to run in 2024. Some of the most damning testimony released by the committee came from Trump. his own Republican advisers, military leaders and confidants, who admitted to losing faith in his judgment and dedication to the rule of law in the days leading up to and following the January 6 attack.
The committee also wants to get to the bottom of missing Secret Service texts from January 5-6, 2021, which may have shed more light on Trump’s actions during the insurgency, particularly after earlier testimony about his confrontation with security while he was there. was trying to reach supporters at the Capitol.
Lawmakers also want to hear from Stephen K. Bannon, a Trump ally who was found guilty last week of criminal contempt of Congress charges for refusing to comply with the House committee’s subpoena.
Cheney spoke on CNN’s “State of the Union” and “Fox News Sunday,” Kinzinger appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and Luria was on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”