The committee doesn’t know, or has not publicly revealed, whether Trump and his organizers were in touch or aware of any plans to use violence. Around 800 protesters broke through doors and windows to disrupt the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory. They also repeated Trump’s false claim that he had won.
There were clear signs that something was going to happen, beginning with Trump’s December tweet pledging to make the Jan. 6 event “wild” and inviting supporters to attend. Some people, including far-right militants, planned for violence online in the weeks and days before. Some even wore tactical gear, as if they were ready for battle when they arrived.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Thompson asked Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson about why he brought bear spray, Kevlar vests and other items to a peaceful rally. Thompson said that there were both people who came to Washington for the rally and those who came to do the same thing at the Capitol.
The probe will examine the information Congress members knew about the event. Some legislators spoke at the rally while others helped to plan it. Thompson stated that while “we are not there yet” to draw any conclusions but said there was “a school for thought that some people were misinformed about what was going on Jan. 6,” and encouraged Trump supporters to attend.
The committee examines and reveals what we know about the rally’s planning.
WHAT DO WE KNOW?
The committee subpoenaed 13 people involved in the rally at the National Mall on that morning, as well as a smaller one planned near the Capitol. Nearly all the people who were subpoenaed were on the permit for Mall event. Trump said to his supporters that if they don’t fight like hell, we won’t have a country anymore.
At the rally, several Republican lawmakers spoke, including Mo Brooks, from Alabama, and Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina. Brooks reminded the crowd to “stop by the Capitol” before heading home, and said that today was the day when American patriots “take down names and kick ass.”
Two people familiar with the planning of the rally said that most of its organizers had previously worked for Trump or his administration. The White House began to coordinate with them in December, two people who spoke anonymously to discuss the matter. Women for America First was granted the permit for the rally, which is a pro-Trump group that has its roots in the tea party movement.
While Trump was speaking, a large crowd made their way to the Capitol. They included members of far-right extremist organizations like the Proud Boy and Oath Keepers, who forced them in. They wore tactical vests and helmets as they marched towards the door in a military-style regimen.
Ali Alexander, one of the organizers subpoenaed after the riot, stated that it was his intention to direct participants of the larger rally marching to the Capitol. The panel used media reports to show that Alexander had mentioned “the possible use of violence in order to achieve the organization’s goals”. They also said that Alexander was in contact with members of Congress and the White House.
Many Republicans who had initially condemned the violence have begun to downplay it and even supported the rioters in the months that followed. Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar has stated repeatedly that a woman shot and killed while trying to enter the House chamber by police was “executed.” The committee requested records from the National Archives regarding communications between Gosar’s chief of staff, and the Trump administration.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW
Many questions remain about the organization of the rally. Are organizers plotting an insurrection or were they? What was the purpose of the rally? What did Trump know about the rally? Did any member of Congress communicate with the protesters who broke into Congress?
Some Democrats wondered if their Republican counterparts had supported the rioters in the days following the attack. Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, stated that any member who “aided or abetted the crime” could be brought to trial.
There is no evidence to suggest that members of Congress assisted the rioters. The committee said it is looking into every aspect of the attack. This includes whether or not lawmakers helped the attackers, and how they were involved in planning the rally for others.
Thompson stated that Thompson believes there is no reluctance to call any of the suspects in the attack if they are implicated.
WHAT IS THE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING?
The committee is currently interviewing some rally organizers that it subpoenaed and is negotiating with others. All 13 of them have communicated with the committee about their willingness to testify. The committee also requests a wide range of documents from the National Archives concerning communications between officials during the period leading up to the rally and insurrection.
The committee requested that social media companies and telecommunications companies preserve records from phones or computers for hundreds of people involved in efforts to “challenge delay or interfere” or attempt to change the results of the 2020 election.
Among the hundreds names that they sent to the companies were many of Trump’s most loyal Republican allies, Brooks, Cawthorn, and GOP Reps. Jim Jordan in Ohio, Andy Biggs from Arizona, Paul Gosar, of Arizona and Matt Gaetz, of Florida. Jody Hice was from Georgia. Marjorie Taylor Greene was from Georgia. Louie Gohmert came from Texas. Scott Perry came out of Pennsylvania. Lauren Boebert is Colorado.
Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, stated that the panel is investigating the origins or planning of the rally and whether they may have been linked to the violence.
Raskin stated, “We want to find out what the connection was” and whether Raskin believed the insurrection was part the original plan or a “detour for those who were there.”
Raskin stated that the United States has been given the task of investigating the Jan. 6 events, the causes thereof, and what America should do to stop further political insurrections or coups against the government. Raskin stated that they want to speak to everyone who has information about all of these things. That includes elected officials and anyone else who may have information.
