The U.S. House of Representatives Committee of Inquiry, which is investigating the violent storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, summoned five Republican lawmakers Thursday. Among them is Kevin McCarthy, the leader of the opposition in the US House of Representatives. Several US media reported this, including New York timesWhich speaks of an “exceptional step” by the commission.
In addition to McCarthy, the commission is hearing four other deputies. The five had previously been given the opportunity to make statements voluntarily, but this option was ignored by Republican parliamentarians.
That was why they were called up now, forcing them to cooperate. If they do not, they may be accused of contempt of Parliament. In addition to criminal charges, it could hurt Republicans during the November midterm elections.
The subpoenas come ahead of a number of public hearings scheduled for this summer.
McCarthy called Trump during the storm
The five will be heard in the investigation into the January 6 storming of the Capitol last year, which killed four people. The Commission is investigating the events of that day.
Several subpoenas have been issued so far, including then-President Donald Trump. The committee said the now recalled Republican politicians had their own turn that day in the lead-up to the storm.
For example, McCarthy had called Trump at the time of the storm. Another deputy, Scott Perry, is suspected of conspiring with the former president to replace the then attorney general.
Extraordinary move
The five subpoenas are quite extraordinary, according to US media. It is not often that a parliamentary commission of inquiry summons co-legislators.
McCarthy writes that recalling McCarthy is very exceptional New York times† He may become the new Speaker of the House if the Republican Party wins the midterm elections later this year. McCarthy has previously indicated that he does not recognize the investigation committee.
The committee concluded that it had no choice but to sue the five Republicans. “Before we hold the hearings next month, we wanted to give members the opportunity to discuss a number of issues on a voluntary basis.”
“Unfortunately, the individuals summoned denied this and we are compelled to take this step to ensure the committee has the facts as of January 6,” the Democratic committee chair said in a statement.
