Witnesses seated
Pottinger
Matthews
8:00 pm Committee enters meeting room
8:02 pm Chairman Thompson announces the meeting being over seen by Co-Chairwoman Liz Cheney. He stated he was diagnosed with COVID, but, is doing well and under quarantine.
He states Donald Trump inspired the mob and they accepted his direction this resulted in lawlessness. The Chairman states there was little anyone around Trump could do to end the violent riot. He stayed in the White House dining room rather than leading the completion of the mob and securing the USA Capitol where legislators and Vice President Pence were wearing gas masks and moved to a secure room. Donald John Trump did nothing to end the violence in the face of deaths and impending deaths.
Chairman Thompson states Donald John Trump directed the mob and no one else. Chairman Thompson states accountability is vital to these facts. Donald John Trump was conducting a coup and there needs to be stiff consequences for these acts.
8:08 pm Co-Chairperson Cheney describes the evenings meeting. She states there are many witnesses and many new witnesses that have come forward voluntarily. The meetings will convene in September after tonight.
January 13, 2021 was impeached by the US House. The Republican Leader of the US Senate, McConnell states on February 13, 2021 that Donald John Trump was responsible for the mob and it's violence. Lawlessness and violence started at 1:00 pm and ended at 4:21 pm. A review of the facts of previous meetings provided an understanding that the goal was set by Trump and he did nothing to end the violence.
Co - Chairwoman Cheney stated members of the Republican Party at the joint session in the US Congress were scared.
8:13 pm Rep. Elaine Luria introduces the examination of Trump's activity on the day of the insurrection. Trump finished his remarks at 1:10 pm to the mob that marched to the Capitol. The Vice President was in the Capitol and the certification making President Biden Elect the next President of the United States. Donald John Trump once the crowd was in motion was taken back to the Oval Office where he chose not to stop the mob until 4:17 PM. Trump gave a rewarding brief speech to the mob.
During the insurrection there was statements of violence against specific legislators. 187 minutes were absent of Trump's actions as Commander and Chief to end the violence at the Capitol. Why would he tell them to stop, he wanted to continue the OCCUPATION of the White House.
8:19 pm Adam Kinzinger introduced the reaction of Leader McCarthy and General Milley after the insurrection. With the evacuation of the US Congress and House and the count of the Electoral College ended while the legislators sought safety.
8:21 pm Chairwoman Cheney introduces a patriot Matthew Pottinger. He is a decorated veteran of war.
Sarah Matthew has been a staff member within the Trump Administration.
8:23 pm Explains an exemplary career and achievements. He was busy during the Trump speech and didn't return to the White House until 2:30 pm.
8:25 pm Ms. Sarah Matthew explains her work within the White House within Trump's administration. She was working in the White House on January 6th.
8:26 pm Rep. Elaine Luria explains the understanding of the danger at the Capitol on January 6th including guns and a White House police stunned by the violence. The police officer stated 10,000 people were directed by Trump to the Capitol and some were known to be armed.
Rep. Luria states there is knowledge about Trump's attack within the SUV with the Secret Service agent.
Mr. Engle
Sgt. Mark Robinson - The president was upset and there was a heated argument about going to the US Capitol. The driver had escorted Trump over 100 times and all previous without confrontation. Sgt. Robinson was monitoring the traffic. There were people in the trees along the route to the Capitol. End of the speech he was returned to the White House.
While at the White House the Secret Service discussed taking Trump to the Capitol for 45 minutes when it was decided it was not safe to move the president to the US Capitol.
1:21 PM to 4:03 pm all records of the president's activity is blank. He was in the Oval Office Dining room watching FOX News tuned to the Capitol. The journalist stated the president fired up the mob. The journalist states a Trump supporter said Pence should have stood up for Trump.
During this time Trump called a list of US Senators to continue to delay the recording of the count of the Electoral College.
Outside the Capitol the violent mob was declaring Trump won the election.
8:40 pm Rep. Adam Kinzinger
Trump didn't announce for the crowd to go home after 4:00 pm. Pat Cipollone found out people were entering the Capitol and told Trump that a forceful statement needed to be addressed to the mob to leave the Capitol. Priviledge issues with Trump enters his reply, but, he told the president people needed to leave the Capitol as he learned the mob was in the Capitol building and were violent. Mr. Cipollone stated many people said the same thing to Trump about dispersing the crowd. He and others, including Mark Meadows and Ivanka Trump advocated for a strong statement to condemn the rioting mob. Trump was unmoved by any of these White House staffers. Pat Cipollone was the White House lawyer and was to advise Trump.
"Hang Mike Pence"
The White House staff was aware of the chant of the mob. Mark Meadows stated Trump was aware of the chant and was unmoved to end the violent mob. Pat Cipollone stated he advised Trump to end the violence. He was very concerned about the Vice President. He believes the staff was doing everything they could to move the president to end the violence. Pat Cipollone, in his capacity stated the president should go to the press podium to issue a statement. That option was open to the president at any time during the time the violence was being conducted at the US Capitol. The press room was near the Oval Office and it would have taken 60 seconds to ready the camera and staff to deliver his message to the mob to end their violence.
Trump didn't want it to stop. He wanted to continue his power. He loaded up the gun (mob) and fired it. He wanted to stop the peaceful transition of power to take over the presidency. The mob and those watching the television were expecting to end the counting of the electoral college.
Sarah Matthew was with other staff seeing the events at the US Capitol and decided to make the recommendation the president should end the violence. The staff members stated they wanted the mob to stop and respect law enforcement and the recommendations were offered.
Giuliani was called on at least two occasions by the president with no resolve to end the violence.
8:35 pm
Rep. Luria played video and audio that described the movement of the mob. There was smoke unknown. The NSC were listening to these reports and learned the mob was kicking in the windows at 2:13 pm. Incoming radio traffic stated the situation was deteriorating and the VP's detail were beginning to fear for their own lives. The scene according to the White House Security Official was chaotic and the Secret Service was examining their options. The White House Security Official in his testimony sounds agitated even as he was safe and reported the facts.
"Pence folded" by Trump supporter and betrayed the mob. Mr. Ayers reported on video the crowd was expressing a variety of anger when it was determined the Vice President was not taking up the Trump agenda for insurrection.
2:24 pm - Trump tweeted Mike Pence did not have the courage...
Trump basically made Pence a target of a mob he already knew were violent under his direction.
Mr. Pottinger states he was surprised Trump was actually in appreciation of the mob and the violence was escalting. Mr. Pottinger resigned on the spot when he realized Trump was leading an insurrection. Mr. Pottinger knew at that point he would never be back to the White House again.
Ms. Matthews stated the tweet about Pence was making the mob more violent. She states she has observed a long history of Trump followers and they were very susceptible to his words and directions.
Both these witnesses state the tweet about Vice President Pence was "adding fuel to the fire."
The White House staff was not with Trump at all on January 6th when they learned of the violence and the president was appreciating the crowd's violence and intended violence.
9:08 pm Tubberville told Trump there was no forward movement of the Electoral College count and he needed to evacuate with the rest of the legislators.
Fist pump Halley fled the chamber as the mob approached.
Kushner states the president has an obligation to protect the members of the Congress. Multiple witnesses stated Trump had an obligation to provide safety to the people in DC and specifically in the Capitol.
9:11 pm Co-Chairwoman Cheney recesses for 10 minutes.
It is amazing Trump didn't fire anyone asking him to stop the violence. He is in conspiracy with the mob. Absolutely. True, those in Congress were calling their family members to make them aware of the violence and their fears. It is interesting the Secret Service seems to have erased the part of the insurgency when they also feared for their lives. Why? Secret Service agents aren't allowed to have feelings and/or if the mob was successful they would be known to be cowards. This was a mob that wanted to kill that day.
The Secret Service should do the right thing and come forward with the information about the missing records. They did their jobs, they did what was asked of them by the Vice President against their deepest instincts to do otherwise. Perhaps, immunity to the Secret Service members should be considered. No one has to be kept in their jobs, but, at least the country will have a complete record.
What bothers me, what if they were using SnapChat as their record. Any recorded violence including death would be recorded and erased. Someone was making measures of what could occur long before January 6th. I think the erased messages of the Secret Service was premeditated. Who decided to change the software and when?
9:24 pm Co-Chairwoman Cheney reconvened the meeting. Rep. Adam Kinzinger resumed his questions.
He makes the point the White House staff was encouraging the president to do the right thing and end the violence. Trump resisted all the advice and then did the complete the opposite and encouraged the mob.
2:53 pm Don Jr stated to Meadows Trump needs to end this violence. It was bad for his legacy. "Go to the mattresses." It was a Godfather enthusiasm to go all in. Hannity texted Meadows to tell the crowd to go home. Everyone except the Founding Fathers rolling over in their graves told Trump to stop the violence. Interesting, everyone absolutely believes Trump could stop it, too. Everyone turned to Trump as the one and single power to stop the advance and violence of the mob. That is more than interesting.
Pat Cipollone recalled all the people trying to encourage Trump to end the violence. Disperse the mob. Pat Cipollone was unable to break privilege with the President but in his taped statement stated, "...you know." He was resolved to the correct action that needed to be conducted regardless of the privilege of actual communications with Trump.
9:33 pm Ms. Matthews stated she told Keyleigh McEnany after the tweet about Pence that Trump needed to send a tweet that would end the violence. McEnany stated Trump was not going to use the word peace at all in his tweets. Ivanka was able bargain with Trump. "Please support the Capitol Police, they are on our side. They are on our side and are good people."
CNN stated Trump is egging this on. Trump supporter states Trump is not leaving office he doesn't care what anyone says.
Pottinger tweets were "Holy inadequate." He wanted an unequivocal statement to clear the Capitol and go home.
Matthews stated a conversation in the Press Office with a Trump staff member and was told Trump should not tweet to address the mob because it would give the media a win. A win? Trump was above influence. If Trump addressed the mob to leave and go home would mean he caved to the media? How sick is that?
The mob at one point surrounded the Capitol while was also inside the Capitol.
Kevin McCarthy told Trump to end the violence and Trump refused. Has Trump ever threatened Republicans after January 6th with his power to direct violence against anyone that was not a loyalist to Trump?
Rep. Mike Gallagher called Trump on Facebook it what it looks like. He wanted the insurrection "Called off." "Call it off." President-Elect Biden went on the media to implore Trump to "Call it off."
4:21 pm By the time Trump came to the Rose Garden the violence was beginning to subside. I remember the National Guard arriving on some of the videos in the Congress and they were successful my their mire presence to disperse the mob. It is true, the violence was quelling because of the arrival of the National Guard that Vice President called up from the garage.
Nicholas Luna stated Trump's address to the mob was off the cuff. By that time Trump spoke to the mob the mob was already turned back. He was defeated so he had to look as though he never wanted the violence. The statement was to defend himself in his stance on January 6th.
People at the White House were emotionally drained at the White House. The scene at the Capitol was still chaotic and violent with tear gas heavily in the air. Officers were down during the chaos.
4:45 PM McConnell stated to secure the building to proceed with the Electoral College count. Best case scenario to retake the Capitol Building was four to five hours while the legislators waited.
General Milley spoke with Vice President Pence, who was very direct, very animated and very firm to get people down to the Capitol. Others stated to General Milley that President Trump was still in charge. General Milley stated those were political statements and he does not listen to political statements. Someone needs to follow up with Milley to find out who was trying to advise him to allow the Vice President to be in danger. That is a problem it think. I think General Milley was not surrounded by people that respected him or the country. That really bothers me. Why weren't people surrounding General Milley already on the same page he was when he assessed the circumstances of the Vice President? That is a weakness that needs to be investigated.
Ms. Matthews stated the actions of Trump were indefensible and she could not make statements that would back up Trump's lack of action to the press.
Mr. Pottinger waited thru the night until January 7th and the return of Robert O'Brien (click here) and then left the White House for the last time.
Ms. Matthews emphasized the peaceful transfer of power in her resignation.
Donald John Trump is a horrible man who never has ONLY his own interests in mind. He never loved this country in a way that most people who seek to work in Washington, DC. How does the USA make it right for the White House staff that remained deeply loyal to the USA Constitution?
I am completely disgusted with Trump.
10:20 pm.
Mr. Pottinger made example to the past with some elections that were challenged. The losers conceded because it was good for the country.
Vice President Gore concession speech (click here) was noted as exemplary by Mr. Pottinger.
McCarthy definitely did not find Trump an important person and found the insurrection a problem in viewing Trump. McCarthy would later change his point of view. That bothers me. Maintaining the "status quo" with the insurrectionists only prolongs the resolve to the violence and the insurrection. I have to think the legislators like McConnell and McCarthy back peddled because their lives and families were in danger otherwise. If these men did an about face out of political ambition rather than providing an end to the insurrection, then they are a problem for the country as well.
No one at this point could ever back Trump in any way shape or form. Allowing Trump to remain the leader of the political party is problematic. It is delaying the end of the insurrection.
Mr. Kinzinger clearly understands that Trump called for death to those in the Capitol that were going to provide a peaceful transfer of power. He is correct. Those standing trial for the insurrection are still missing the one person mostly responsible for their plight right now and that is Donald John Trump. Yes, he violated his oath of office and it is a dishonor. Absolutely. Policies should be strengthened to protect from another Trump or worse. No doubt. Legislators that resist the strengthening of our country in the changes this committee will put forward must be questioned in their loyalty to the US Constitution.'
Trump wanted not the Rule of Law, but, the dictatorship of the Rule of One Man. He seceded this country the day he took the oath of office.
July 21, 2022By Bart Jansen and Joey Garrison
- ...McCarthy was 'scared': (click here) Jared Kushner, a special adviser to Trump and his son-in-law, told the committee how House Republican Leader McCarthy called and pleaded for help as his own aides were fleeing their office. "I got the sense that they were scared... that (McCarthy) was scared."
- Hawley fled: The committee spotlighted how lawmakers had to be evacuated to avoid the Jan. 6 mob, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who had thrown a fist in the air in support of the protesters who were at the gates before they breached the Capitol.
- Watching Fox News: The in-person and videotaped testimony detailed what President Trump was doing during the height of the Jan. 6 violence, and witnesses said he was mostly watching cable news, specifically Fox New, for more than two and half hours.
- Witnesses back up Hutchinson: Two witnesses on Thursday supported previous testimony from Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, who said during a previous hearing how Trump demanded to be taken to the Capitol with protesters. One national security aide, who was kept anonymous by the panel, said if the former president had been allowed join the rioters it would have turned into a “insurrection, coup"
- Taking the lead: The primetime hearing is being led by two lawmakers who are military veterans — Democrat Elaine Luria, of Virginia, and Republican Adam Kinzinger, of Illinois....
By Kevin Johnson
Washington - The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general (click here) has launched a criminal investigation into the destruction of Secret Service text messages sought as part of investigations into the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, an official with knowledge of the matter said Thursday.
A letter notifying the Secret Service of the probe was directed to Director James Murray Wednesday night, said the official who is not authorized to comment publicly on a pending investigation.
The existence of the criminal investigation was first disclosed by NBC News....
