As the Department of Justice (DOJ) cranks up its own investigation into January 6, the House committee looking into the attack on the Capitol has formally established a workflow for information sharing with the DOJ.
Rep. Bennie Thomspon, the committee’s chair, stated the Justice Department will now be allowed to request copies of court proceedings from the committee, reversing an earlier demand they do an “in camera” review, prior to obtaining any transcripts.
The Jan 6 Committee has said that they are sharing with DOJ and have set up a template to more easily do so. They also say that they will report soon on the National Guard response to the attack AND will consider their next steps for GOP members of Congress who defied subpoenas.
— Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) July 28, 2022
Thompson stated on Thursday that the process was recently put on paper and approved.
He said it is not a one-size-fits-all answer. They will need to let them know if there are individuals whose transcripts they wish to review. The method is a compromise between both parties.
Interviews Records
Rep. Pete Aguilar, a committee member, told reporters on Wednesday “the latest proposal was for all the interviews.”
While the DOJ will provide more specifics to the panel, the Justice Department persuaded legislators that it would be more expedient to merely provide the records.
Thompson stated they are merely attempting to avoid duplication of effort, saying that the DOJ will ultimately require documents for court cases.
It isn’t basic and straightforward; it’s a process they must control.
NEWS: Jan. 6 committee chairman Bennie Thompson says the panel has established a "template" for sharing transcripts and evidence with DOJ.
He said there's general agreement on the terms. It will NOT require in camera review.
This and more news here: https://t.co/f8fo207NE0
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) July 28, 2022
The progress in discussions comes as the Department of Justice is allegedly focusing its probe into the attack more precisely on the acts of former President Trump.
Lately, they subpoenaed former Vice President Mike Pence’s aides to appear before a grand jury. Investigators are apparently in contact with former White House adviser Cassidy Hutchinson.
Thompson stated he believes they have established a compelling case with difficulties. If that is the course the Department of Justice has taken, then people will realize the United States is a nation of laws and the Department of Justice is the prosecuting body to examine
New Witnesses
The panel convened on January 6 also continues to contact new witnesses.
Former Trump chief of staff Mick Mulvaney met with prosecutors from the committee on Thursday; erstwhile Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also reportedly met with the committee.
On Thursday, Thompson stated the committee is continuing to talk with Mike Pompeo, who was once the secretary of state.
Only two days ago, it acquired another batch of records from the Secret Service as the committee assesses whether or how any messages from agents on January 5 and 6 were deleted.
It is also considering releasing a study as early as August that examines the National Guard’s response to the Capitol threat on January 6 and why approval was delayed.
Thompson stated they analyzed the guard. The issue is, from a national security standpoint, is there sufficient evidence to warrant a trial, or could they simply release the results and explain them to the general populace?
This article appeared in NewsHouse and has been published here with permission.
