January 6th legal proceedings and investigations megathread

[emailking]

Yeah he said in another thread the T is for traitor because he claims Pence told the Secret Service to drive Trump back to the White House so he couldn't lead a peaceful rally that went into the night and allowed 6 states to have debates in the joint session.

[Joe Republic]

Yeah he said in another thread the T is for traitor because he claims Pence told the Secret Service to drive Trump back to the White House so he couldn't lead a peaceful rally that went into the night and allowed 6 states to have debates in the joint session.

He said it on page 6 of this thread.

Low Info Voter couldn’t have picked a more fitting username if he tried.

[ProudModerate2]

Yeah he said in another thread the T is for traitor because he claims Pence told the Secret Service to drive Trump back to the White House so he couldn't lead a peaceful rally that went into the night and allowed 6 states to have debates in the joint session.

He said it on page 6 of this thread.
Low Info Voter couldn’t have picked a more fitting username if he tried.

It's just such a bizarre statement (regarding this "Pence ordering the Secret Service to drive").
Is this nonsense something that is circulating among the trump-supporting websites (anyone know)?
Or garbage he created himself?

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Growing group of GOP members wants McCarthy to punish Kinzinger and Cheney for joining January 6 committee

A growing group of rank-and-file House Republicans wants House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and GOP leadership to punish Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for accepting a position from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on the select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection.

The push to seek punishment rose to a new level on Sunday, after Pelosi announced that Kinzinger had accepted her invitation to join the committee. Initially, most rank-and-file Republicans were content to let Cheney serve without much of a fight, but Kinzinger's addition has changed the conversation and has put a new level of pressure on McCarthy.

[7,052,770]

Growing group of GOP members wants McCarthy to punish Kinzinger and Cheney for joining January 6 committee

A growing group of rank-and-file House Republicans wants House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and GOP leadership to punish Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for accepting a position from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on the select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection.

The push to seek punishment rose to a new level on Sunday, after Pelosi announced that Kinzinger had accepted her invitation to join the committee. Initially, most rank-and-file Republicans were content to let Cheney serve without much of a fight, but Kinzinger's addition has changed the conversation and has put a new level of pressure on McCarthy.

They're welcome to start caucusing with the Democrats, though they won't be able to influence policy.

[Calthrina950]

Growing group of GOP members wants McCarthy to punish Kinzinger and Cheney for joining January 6 committee

A growing group of rank-and-file House Republicans wants House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and GOP leadership to punish Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for accepting a position from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on the select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection.

The push to seek punishment rose to a new level on Sunday, after Pelosi announced that Kinzinger had accepted her invitation to join the committee. Initially, most rank-and-file Republicans were content to let Cheney serve without much of a fight, but Kinzinger's addition has changed the conversation and has put a new level of pressure on McCarthy.

Republicans view Cheney and Kinzinger as acting in the interests of the Democrats, and as diverting attention from opposing Biden's "radical agenda." And of course, they don't want to investigate the events of January 6th any further, wish to pretend that they didn't happen, and want to move on as quickly as possible.

[pbrower2a]

History won't look fondly upon Michael T. Pence, that's for sure.

History is already looking poorly at the entire traitorous Trump regime, including his obsequious toady VP.

The only confirmed traitors in the Trump administration were Bolton, Mike T. Pence, Cohn and McMaster.

That’s what it all comes down to for you, doesn’t it, Low Info?  Who was a traitor to Trump?  The country is more concerned about who acted as a traitor to the nation.  The guy who stirred up his cult followers to overthrow the nation's government and illegitimately remain in power fits that definition pretty squarely.

Irony may have been intended.

[pbrower2a]

We need a "sore loser" Amendment to the Constitution that expels, and then disqualifies, any sitting President who calls for the nullification of electoral results  or the disruption of any process of determining the count of the Electoral College or the popular vote. Dispute is a prerogative, but nullification is not.

[Frodo]

Worth remembering that Trump's hero, Andrew Jackson, was on the verge of invading South Carolina and hanging every would-be secessionist during the nullification crisis.  And if memory serves me right, he also had a problem with a military with questionable loyalties during that crisis.  

[ProudModerate2]

Video: Cheney and Kinzinger respond to McCarthy over calling them "Pelosi Republicans."

Click here to watch: https://us.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/07/26/kevin-mccarthy-adam-kinzinger-liz-cheney-pelosi-republican-sot-vpx-nr.cnn

[Progressive Pessimist]

Growing group of GOP members wants McCarthy to punish Kinzinger and Cheney for joining January 6 committee

A growing group of rank-and-file House Republicans wants House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and GOP leadership to punish Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for accepting a position from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on the select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection.

The push to seek punishment rose to a new level on Sunday, after Pelosi announced that Kinzinger had accepted her invitation to join the committee. Initially, most rank-and-file Republicans were content to let Cheney serve without much of a fight, but Kinzinger's addition has changed the conversation and has put a new level of pressure on McCarthy.

They're welcome to start caucusing with the Democrats, though they won't be able to influence policy.

Or even just pulling an Amash and leaving the party, depriving its conference of even a small number, would suffice.

[Calthrina950]

Video: Cheney and Kinzinger respond to McCarthy over calling them "Pelosi Republicans."

Click here to watch: https://us.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/07/26/kevin-mccarthy-adam-kinzinger-liz-cheney-pelosi-republican-sot-vpx-nr.cnn

It's a shame that one is a "Pelosi Republican" just because they don't bow down and kiss Trump's feet, despite holding staunchly conservative views on all other issues.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

We need a "sore loser" Amendment to the Constitution that expels, and then disqualifies, any sitting President who calls for the nullification of electoral results  or the disruption of any process of determining the count of the Electoral College or the popular vote. Dispute is a prerogative, but nullification is not.

We have such a mechanism. It's called impeachment.

I have said it again and again. There is no technical fix for forty-plus percent of the country participating in bad faith while actively plotting our destruction. American rejects modern Republicanism or America dies from the political equivalent of polonium.

[DrScholl]

At this point there is no reason for Cheney or Kinzinger to even respond to what McCarthy or any other Trump Republicans say since they clearly are finished electorally with the Republican Party. On principle it's better to lose your position for telling the truth as opposed to keeping it for co-signing dangerous behavior. If Democrats behaved like Trump did I couldn't remain a part of the party.

[jimrtex]

https://twitter.com/abughazalehkat/status/1418379937002700803

Somebody didn't follow the script that Carlson gave him.

In the full interview, Ibrahim says that his friend was an FBI informant, and that the FBI knew the friend was at the rally. It gets confusing because he talks of his brother who is an FBI agent and who was also at the rally and carrying his service weapon. The charging document uses the terms his friend and a relative.

During the Carlson interview, he mentions his brothers in Cuba, so perhaps he uses "brother" in a more figurative sense. He also says that he had gone up to a FBI SWAT team and offered to assist him. But the DOJ would not use "relative" in that sense, would they?

The charging document says he was participating in a WhatsApp Chat with other law enforcement officials, and one specifically asked if he were carrying his sidearm and DEA credentials.

One of the officers participating in the chat wrote, "Question Mark, you are carrying your duty weapon and your badge/creds? I need to know this mark."

Carlson asked Ibrahim if he saw other FBI infiltrators/provocateurs. He said he had not seen any. But since the FBI informant was a friend, he might not have been looking.

...

[Badger]

At this point there is no reason for Tulsi, Peterson or Van Drew to even respond to what Pelosi or any other Obama-Biden Democrats say since they clearly are finished electorally with the Democratic Party. On principle it's better to lose your position for telling the truth as opposed to keeping it for co-signing dangerous behavior. If Republicans behaved like Obama or Biden did I couldn't remain a part of the party.

Spicy take.

The irony here is beyond palpable, considering your entire participation in this thread, like most others, has been capcium oil level spicy takes.

Seriously, your sophomore year edgelord takes are as trying as they are nonsensical.

[Torie]

Here is the link to the committee hearing. The first witness is now making a statement. Cheney delivered a most eloquent statement.

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/564978-live-coverage-house-panel-holds-first-hearing-on-jan-6-probe

[Inmate Trump]

If Democrats behaved like Trump did I couldn't remain a part of the party.

Democrats have morals; Republicans don't.

[GeorgiaModerate]

For those unable to watch the hearing, there are several people live tweeting it.  Brandi Buchman of Courthouse News (https://twitter.com/Brandi_Buchman) is providing frequent updates.

[Calthrina950]

I'm watching some of the testimony now. The past years certainly have been very volatile politically. We've had the Kavanaugh hearings, Trump's two impeachments, and now this.

[politicallefty]

At this point there is no reason for Tulsi, Peterson or Van Drew to even respond to what Pelosi or any other Obama-Biden Democrats say since they clearly are finished electorally with the Democratic Party. On principle it's better to lose your position for telling the truth as opposed to keeping it for co-signing dangerous behavior. If Republicans behaved like Obama or Biden did I couldn't remain a part of the party.

Spicy take.

Van Drew left the Democratic Party on his own. When did Speaker Pelosi call Tulsi Gabbard or Colin Peterson names like Kevin McCarthy has now done to members of his own party? No time in public that I can recall. Pelosi has played her hand brilliantly every step of the way. She reached her hand out in bipartisanship and it was slapped away. All Kevin McCarthy cares about is what Trump wants. There is no other reason why he would've put Gym Jordan on the committee, the same way someone else was forced to step aside for him temporarily during the first impeachment hearings.

As much as I may disagree with them on politics, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger are patriots that are putting their country ahead of their own politics. Their elected careers are over. Kinzinger was probably screwed in redistricting, but Cheney had an ultra-safe seat and the #3 spot in Republican leadership. She was likely a future Speaker. That's over. What other motivation would there be if not for love of country and belief in the Constitution and the rule of law?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Oh, good, the nothingburger hearings have started!  Popcorn - check.  Bourbon - check.  I'm ready!

[MasterJedi]

Oh, good, the nothingburger hearings have started!  Popcorn - check.  Bourbon - check.  I'm ready!

I'm sure you still want Benghazi hearings though.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Note the carefully framed "both sides" and the implicit rejection of the authority of the Democratic majority.

Congress reverts to childish antics with no adult supervision in sight

Democrats originally proposed a bipartisan commission to conduct the inquiry of the insurrection. Although that passed the House on a near party-line vote, it was blocked in the Senate. House Democrats then proposed a partisan select committee with all 13 members appointed by the Speaker, with five on the recommendation of the Republican leader. After Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) included Republican Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), then the No. 3 GOP leader, as one of her eight picks, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) named his five choices. Pelosi rejected two of them on grounds they had voted against certifying the votes for Biden in two of the states. With that, McCarthy withdrew his remaining three nominees and vowed his party appointees might conduct their own investigation (without formal House authorization). 

Is there something about all this on both sides of the field that reminds you of the childish threat that, if you cannot make-up the rules of the game as you go along, you’re going to take your ball and go home? 

What would a neutral arbiter — a labor dispute judge (or a kindergarten teacher) — recommend to break this impasse?  Speaker Pelosi denies there is an impasse and has indicated the select committee will move forward, lopsided majority and all, to conduct the inquiry. That approach only confirms the other side’s argument that this was intended from the start to be a partisan hit on former President Trump, his national supporters, and his defenders in Congress. Any findings of such a select committee, without full Republican participation, will be portrayed by the media, or at least perceived by the public, as a predictable partisan attack against Republicans in the run-up to the 2022 midterm elections for Congress. Any Republican investigation, if launched, will have even less credibility without the imprimatur of an official House report. 

Being more eloquent and less heavy-handed that Fox News doesn't make what's happening here any better. This is an attempt to normalize Republican abuse of their responsibilities, and an attack on the legitimacy of our representative government. 

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Oh, good, the nothingburger hearings have started!  Popcorn - check.  Bourbon - check.  I'm ready!

I'm sure you still want Benghazi hearings though.

Most hearings are snoozers and a waste of time and money.  No, didn't want them or watch them.