Thread by @jentaub

⏰Here we go! The hearing begins.

The January 6th insurrection was the "worst attack on our republic since the Civil War" - Committee Chair @CarolynBMaloney

1/

Maloney quotes former @LeaderMcConnell who at the time blamed Trump

"The federal government was unprepared for this insurrection" even though it was planned on plain site on social media.

2/

Maloney introduces the witnesses, first by thanking Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.

3/

She then mentions the next two witnesses have not yet testified about January 6.

They will be Christopher Miller, Former Acting Secretary of Defense, and Jeffrey Rosen, Former Acting Attorney General

4/

It's "completely unacceptable" that the FBI has failed to produce "a single document" requested by congressional committees.

However, FBI Director Christopher Wray has finally agreed to appear in June.

5/

It took more than four hours after being begged for help for the Department of Defense to send National Guard to the capitol. Took contact from VP Pence

Why did Defense Department wait, she asked.

6/

Maloney continues to call for an independent bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection as was done after 9/11. "We need that same determination, that same resolve and action today."

7/

"We must reject President Trump's Big Lie and the violence that it inspired."

8/

Maloney quotes @RepLizCheney from yesterday where she called for America to reject the big lie. But Maloney does not mention that Cheney had just this morning been voted out of her leadership position by House Republicans.

9/

Now Ranking Member Comer is focused on the more than 400 people apprehended for their direct role in the insurrection.

He is blaming @TeamPelosi for "politicizing" the event. Ummmm it was political.

10/

Now Comer is talking about something off topic.

11/

The Republican ranking member is deliberately mispronouncing names.

He keeps saying democrat members instead of democratic members.

He also mispronounced the VP's name.

12/

Former Acting Secretary of Defense, Christopher Miller is speaking. He is reading some remarks verbatim.

13/

Here is a link to the written remarks he submitted. Typically an opening statement is just 5 minutes, so he will not read each word here.

14/

apps.npr.org/documents/docu…

Miller is placing blame on Mayor Muriel Bowser. He is extremely defiant in his tone.

Said he didn't want another Kent State

15/

Miller is ANGRY, "Those of you with military experience. . .will recognize how rapid our response was."

Says people who criticize don't understand or are being political.

16/

Mr. Macho has been in a lot of fights. Combat and did he say bar brawls?

"Good leaders slow things down."

17/

"I stand by every decision I made on January 6th."

Military forces should only be use as a last resort.

He said "I could not have unilaterally deployed" troops against express wishes of mayor and Capitol Police.

18/

Jeff Rosen, former Acting Attorney General of the United States is speaking. He is holding very still. Arms tight against his side.h More light on the fake orchids than him. It looks like a hostage video.

19/

"I'm proud of the department's response on January 6 when we deployed more than 500" agents from DOJ including the FBI, personally going to rotunda while "intrusion was still under way."

20/

Rosen says testimony has some limits due to imperfect memory and because he is no longer working at the Justice Department. Also, he has to maintain "some kinds of information in confidence" and cannot make statements that would interfere with investigation and prosecution

21/

Our final witness is providing his opening statement. Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, Robert Conte III.

Of the three, he is the only one still employed in his same position he was on Jan. 6.

22/

Conte makes clear the jurisdictional limitations, defending Mayor Bowser.

The President of the United States not the mayor controls the DC National Guard.

23/

Conte begins discussing the two pipe bombs found. His MPD assisted the Capitol Police.

24/

His clarity and detailed timeline is much more credible than what we heard from Miller.

25/

I wish I had his written remarks on hand right now.

26/

Said law enforcement does not prepare "for hours of hand-to-hand combat."

27/

Questions begin now. Maloney first.

28/

💥BAM! There it is

"Did President Trump as Commander of Chief of the Armed Forces call you?"

"No, I had all of the authority to fulfill my constitutional duties."

29/

.@CarolynBMaloney rightfully questions Miller's credibility. "Did you issue your order in response to the Vice President's call"

He says no. He gave approval at 3 pm. Order issued at 3:04 p.m.

She said that was 24 minutes after VP called. "That's hard for me to believe."

30/

"President refused to lift a finger after he incited a violent" attack against the republic, Maloney said.

31/

Now we have @RepGosar. You might remember him as the person whose family wants him expelled from Congress.

32/

azcentral.com/story/news/pol…

You might also remember that Gosar attended and was cheered at a white nationalist conference.

azmirror.com/2021/03/01/pau…

33/

I am not going to share anything Gosar is saying as I don't want to amplify the words of a white supremacist and anti-Semite.

jns.org/watchdog-group…

34/

Now Congresswoman @EleanorNorton asks questions first of Chief Conte.

She said DC Police Department played a historic role in putting down the insurrection and saving lives of Congress members and staff and democracy itself.

35/

Do you believe the DC National Guard would have been deployed earlier if that had been authorized?

He said yes.

36/

Conte agrees with Norton. Conte does not think that the President should have his existing authority to federalize the DC police department. He thinks that the DC mayor should have control over the National Guard.

37/

Out of the box @CongressmanHice is talking about the media. He is complaining that the press and Maloney say that President Trump incited the insurrection.

38/

So, I am not going to tell you what Hice is saying because we all already watched the second impeachment trial and I support the vote to convict on the sole article: inciting an insurrection. You might remember that:

npr.org/sections/trump…

39/

Yes, Trump incited the insurrection. This thred might help.
threadreaderapp.com/thread/1359548…

40/

We now have @RepLynch with his familiar Boston accent recalling the events of January 6th, how the mood of the crowd changed after Trump's remarks.

Lynch reminds us Trump sent them to Capitol to," fight like hell or you're not going to have a country anymore."

41/

Lynch asked whether there would have been an attack on the capitol if Trump had not incited.

Lynch: "Did the President's remarks incite people in the crowd to march on the Capitol."

Miller: "It goes without saying that his statement resulted in that."

42/

Miller says "I have reassessed. It's not the unitary factor at all."

Lynch "For your written testimony for today" you said his comments encouraged the protesters.

43/

💥Wowza.

I've got tonight's cable news sound bite. Lynch accuses Miller of a sudden reversal in his view of Trump's role in insurrection.

Christopher Miller: "Absolutely not, that's ridiculous."

Congressman Lynch: "You're ridiculous."

That was tweet number 44 in the thread. Sorry. I was so amazing by that exchanged that I forget to type it.

45/

Conte agrees that helmets and tactical gear indicated that this was pre-planned.

Rep. Gibbs asked Conte if Metropolitan Police was told three days before. He said no. Not even a day before.

Notification was sent through email but he did not receive.

46/

Gibbs asked Rosen whether DOJ had information before Jan. 6. He said he believes "information was shared in a timely way."

Directed him to the FBI for more information

47/

We now have @GerryConnolly from Virginia up with questions. Said insurrection was fueled by Trump's Big Lie.

Rosen confirmed that there was not wide spread fraud

48/

Connolly asked Rosen whether he had conversations with Trump asking him to question or take action to overturn the election outcome.

Rosen said "I understand your interest in the issue. But said he is not allowed to disclose any private conversations.

49/

He did meet with the President before January 3. Said it "did not relate to the planning and preparations" for January 6th.

But he refused to say whether it related to the election.

50/

Connolly asked whether Rosen was told by his subordinate Jeffrey Clark that Rosen's days were numbered.

"That episode is the subject of an inspector general investigation."

51/

Rosen says he is sticking with the "ground rules" discussed between his lawyer, DOJ and the committee. (I think he said DOJ was involved in discussion).

52/

Oh. Dear. God. It's Rep. Jim Jordan. I am not going to amplify the words of someone credibly accused of covering up sexual abuse of college athletes

cnn.com/2020/03/06/pol…

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While he is shouting, I will reheat my coffee.

54/

I believe Adam DiSabato

washingtonpost.com/video/politics…

55/

Oh, good. @CongressmanRaja is asking questions.

Miller is very defensive.

56/

Now @CongressmanRaja quotes Miller's interview from Vanity Fair where he things history will show that they had their act together. But, the rep points to this photo

57/

Wowza. @CongressmanRaja is quoting Miller discussing his admiration for Vladimir Putin. When asked if Putin had Navalny poisoned, Miller will not confirm and keeps avoiding

Here's that quote for you all watching from home

huffpost.com/entry/secretar…

58/

Now Congressman Krishnamoorthi asked what he did in the more than one hour after the mayor asked for additional support.

I need to go back and see what this was about in detail

59/

It's now Rep. Clay Higgins' of Louisiana's turn to ask questions. Let's talk a look at see how he voted on impeachment.

59/

clerk.house.gov/Votes/202117

Higgins is shouting and shouting about Black Lives Matter. This is not on topic.

60/

If he can go off topic, so can I.

Higgins is the guy who threatened to shoot protesters.

61/

laaclu.org/en/press-relea…

It's @RepRaskin's turn to ask questions. He starts with one directed to Miller

Raskin read statement re the attack being use of terror in response to not liking the election outcome

Miller said in reference to the attack on the Capitol, "I agree it was an act of terrorism"

62/

Raskin said Republicans are slandering BLM a non-violent movement for justice.

Said deaths they count are people killed by right-wing protesters including those killed by Kyle Rittenhouse etc.

Republicans are blocking commission on Jan. 6 unless "we drag in Bugaloo boys."

63/

Raskin and the other Dems are right. We need a real commission that investigates what happened on January 6th. The demand from the Rs to expand beyond the insurrection is a distraction.

64/

We now have @virginiafoxx of Virginia. Let's see how she voted on the impeachment article this year.

Oh, look at that. Nay.

65/

clerk.house.gov/Votes/202117

She now asks Conte whether law enforcement is beyond redemption. Of course he says no. He's head of the Metropolitan Police Department.

"I think law enforcement certainly has a role in society."

66/

Now @RoKhanna asks Miller, "Have you no sense of accountability. No sense of shame? Will you at least apologize to the American people . . for what happened on your watch."

He dodges the question.

"I stand by every decision I made."

67/

There's been reporting that you or those in your office tried to get ahold of President Trump on January 6.

"Not that I'm aware of."

68/

Now @RoKhanna asks for an explanation of the 36 minute delay between Miller's authorization of National Guard and when it was implemented.

Miller is not aware of exact time.

69/

"It's total self-promotion. All your trying to do is cover your own reputation," says @RoKhanna.

General Walker said he could have deployed a quick reactionary force.

Miller seems to say Walker could have done it without him.

70/

We are waiting for Pete Sessions, but he is not responding when asked. So now, it's @RepKweisiMfume. He begins by discussing a committee he was on re 9/11.

Truth related to 1/6 is now eluding us due to dishonesty.

We know it was an insurrection fueled by the president.

71/

Mfume is asking whether Rosen met on January 3, 2021.

Mfume: Did you discuss the protest that were about to unfold?

Rosen: It was not for the preparations regarding January 6.

Mfume: Did you discuss ANYTHING about what was about to unfold?

Rosen dodges

72/

Exactly this from @RepKweisiMfume: "Let the record reflect, this is why it's so difficult to get to the truth because people do not want to answer straight questions."

73/

@RepKweisiMfume We now have @PeteSessions in his office. Someone is sitting on a couch behind him. Is that a staffer or maybe a lobbyist?

74/

At least 1,000 people were inside of the Capitol that day, said Conte when asked by @RepGrothman

75/

Grothman wants to know how many broke in and how many were let in.

Conte does not know the ratio or that or of how many were doing damage vs how many just "milling around"

76/

It's @RashidaTlaib begins by defending the movement for black lives, says the movement includes mothers who lost their children to police violence.

77/

Rosen told Tlaib that the FBI was interviewing extremists, she describe that as trying to discourage them from traveling to DC on January 6

78/

Asked whether FBI issued a threat assessment.

Rosen said the threat of violence was understood by everyone.

79/

Conte told @RashidaTlaib that he was aware that the FBI was meeting with extremists encouraging them not to come.

Asked whether DOJ provided sufficient threat assessment about those who were planning to come

He said "it certain warrants more than an email being sent out"

80/

Should have been phone calls given the seriousness of the threat

81/

Now Rep. Keller is asking Miller about Mayor Bowser requesting help on Capitol Grounds.

Rep. Keller says the request has to come from Capitol Police.

Miller says there was a call but claims he learned of it at 230 (then took at least 30 minutes to respond).

82/

Here's some more details on that time line

https://twitter.com/K8brannen/status/1392517932643540993?s=20

83/

💯Good. @RepAOC is nailing down timeline.

1:34 pm: You were aware of Capitol breach

3:00: Miller orders mobilize National Guard yet not mobilized yet

4:08: Miller convo with VP Pence

4:32: Actual order to clear the Capitol

Why 92 minutes?

5:08: When Walker got order

84/

Oh FFS. Rep. Norman from South Carolina says it might not have been Trump supporters storming capitol

85/

Oh, look. This Ralph Norman defended racist Steve King. Shocked. Shocked.

mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-…

86/

Now we have @RepDWStweets

In response to Gosar saying Capitol Police "executed" insurrectionist Ashli Babbit, the Congresswoman said that DOJ cleared the them in her death. We hear someone shouting, "no."

87/

Now we have Biggs in Arizona. He wants to show an unrelated video of riots in Oregon.

Oh, this Andy Biggs?

patch.com/arizona/across…

88/

Next up is @PeterWelch from Vermont

89/

5 minute recess

90/

We are back with Clyde reading from a dictionary. He says what went down on January 6 looked like a "normal tourist visit."

Ummmm. When I have sat in the House gallery, we were not even allowed to have a phone or newspaper out or the guard would haul us away.

So, no.

91/

Who is this guy you are wondering. Canadian-born gun shop owner turned Congressman who was subject to an abusive civil asset forfeiture.

92/
forsythnews.com/news/politics/…

We have @RepHankJohnson asking questions. His audio came in shaky at first.

93/

Johnson: When did you first become aware that marchers were on way to capitol from rally

Miller: Around 1 pm

94/

"You were aware that at 1:26 p.m. on January 6, the US Capitol Police had ordered the evacuation of the Capitol"

Miller said yes in that general time frame

But said he was not aware that the mayor and the Chief of US Capitol Police were making request for national guard.

95/

Whut? Did I hear that correctly? Did Miller just say:

"A 911 call" is not an official request

96/

Christoper Miller is not credible. If Walker had all of the authority he need after 3:00 but didn't send national guard in until after 5, then why didn't Miller do something about it in that intervening more than 2 hours?

Am I missing something here, @RepAOC?

97/

While Rep. Cloud is muddying the waters, his heart is not in it. And, yet, I feel so ill listening to this obsfucation.

98/

It's John Sarbanes' turn now. He's discussing the need for a bipartisan commission. Says we need "solid, cogent answers" as to what happened at the Capitol and how it happened and that including unrelated events from summer of 2020 would dilute that effort.

99/

Miller agrees that what happened at Capitol on January 6 was a grave national security event and could happen again. Plus believes studying it would help prevent a reoccurrence.

100/

Up now is Scott Franklin from Florida. He is unhappy that no one from the Capitol Police is testifying today although all three witnesses agree that the CP are the primary law enforcement agency responsible for the Capitol

101/

At Rep. Franklin's request, Rosen is reading from a January 5 letter from Mayor Bowser in which she seems to say the District of Columbia discouraged deployment of other law enforcement and said Metropolitan Police Department was prepared.

102/

We have @RepSpeier saying open source information prior to January 6th was very concerning.

103/

Speier asked what DOJ and FBI needs to do to make sure that threats are taking seriously.

Rosen said DOJ had pre-positioned people but that Capitol Police "don't report to me."

104/

We have Rep. LaTurner now. He seems to be testifying, not asking questions, but this is his time so he can do what he wishes.

105/

When invited to clarify anything Rosen said the decision of what to do with information fell on Capitol Police and if they felt like they needed additional resources, they could reach out to others including DOJ or the national guard.

"But everyone has to do their own job"

106/

Now it's Rep Kelly from Illinois. She said some of her colleagues are still suffering from the events of Jan. 6. She was there in the gallery.

107/

Kelly asked of Miller: "Who is at fault for the lack of coordination and communication" in the lead up to January 6?

Miller: I don't know. He said DOJ did a fine job. Said write large, "it's the thing that needs to be decided."

108/

Hmmm. It's notable how Miller's tone has softened.

I wonder why.

"I wished things had gone better," he said, but did not admit doing anything wrong or taking responsibility for events.

109/

Rep. Kelly asks Conte about communication between MPD and all the other law enforcement. Said there were several coordination calls that led up to January 6.

110/

It's now Texan Pat Fallon's turn. He starts by quoting MLK.

111/

Lots of comments. Not sure if I heard a question, but I'd gone into a boredom coma.

112/

We are now hearing from Rep. @CoriBush of Missouri.

"What would the DOJ's response have been that day if the majority of the people who participated in the attack looked like me?"

113/

Rosen said "I believe that the responses the Department of Justice took when I was there were the appropriate ones."

114/

Rosen: "I believe our preparation and responses would be the same."

Bush thanked him but said she disagrees.

"The white supremacist mob was able to break in with weapons and zip ties . . the contrast is stark" between this and BLM protests.

115/

This is a shameful answer from Rosen who said he blames the "entire entertainment media political context" created the environment for the insurrection.

116/

Now Rep Herrell of New Mexico is complaining about "Fake News" that she says "Is far, far from the truth."

117/

It was a tragic that Officer Sidnick died after insurrection. It's not fair to describe those who thought his death resulted from the riot as liars. It was only after a recent autopsy that stroke was identified and the violence played role. See:

washingtonpost.com/local/public-s…

118/

It's now Rep. Lawrence of Michigan asking questions.

119/

Lawrence asked Rosen how many ATF and FBI officers were deployed to the Capitol as you learned by watching on TV?

"We responded with great urgency" when Capitol Police asked, she said. Over 500.

120/

She said DOJ needs to start producing information about January 6. Also calls for independent investigation.

121/

It's now @RepDonaldsPress from Florida. He is a Republican and says he agrees in part with his Dem colleague who just spoke.

122/

Rep. Donalds asked Rosen if he was in contact with Capitol Police before, during, and after the events.

Rosen said DOJ including the FBI were
Miller said DoD was
Conte says he was

123/

Why isn't Capitol Police here? This is not to demean Capitol Police but says it's important for them to come before this committee as well.

124/

Rep. Donalds asked when he received request from Mayor Bowser. He said December 31, 2020.

125/

Miller said he met with Trump on Jan. 3 re international threats, and at end he asked Miller if there were any requests for National Guard. Miller told him about Bowswer's.

Trump said do whatever he could to protect the demonstrators exercising constitutional rights

126/

Donalds asked on average how long does it take to deploy national guard on average.

Miller said it depends. But he still said this was "one of the most expedient deployments of national guard in modern history."

127/

We now have @RepDeSaulnier speaking.

128/

DeSaulnier said that we now know that the people attacking the Capitol believed the president was inviting and encouraging them to do that.

129/

Rosen says he was worried about crowd at the ellipse. He said he was told that the size was at the low end and at that point they were not unruly or violent. Sometime around 2 pm he learned the perimeter had been breached.

But didn't know about Trump's "fight like hell"

130/

Miller said it was around 1 or 1:30 when he learned what Trump had instructed the crowd to do.

Conte only learned later (maybe he said a day or days)

131/

Conte said the group of "300 or so" was on the move to the Capitol even prior to his remarks . . .says it's coming out they were listening to him (he doesn't say this, but we have seen this on cellphones).

132/

We now have ranking member Comer asking questions. He's starting with Rosen

Rosen said the 500 plus agents came from the FBI, ATF, US Marshall Service

133/

Comer asked whether it's true that Trump had no role at all in deploying the National Guard.

"Yes, that's what I got paid to handle."

134/

It's now Vice Chair Gomez' turn to ask questions. He begins by reliving the traumatic events

135/

Good for him. @JimmyGomezCA calls out the inflammatory Rs in Congress re the Speaker

136/

Gomez: "Do you believe Trump had no role in the assault"

Miller: "I cannot believe that he did."

But he admitted that the words that Trump used about taking back the country "could be" incitement.

Also said he fears for himself and family now based on his testimony today

137/

It's now @RepPressley from MA speaking. She reminds us of noose erected on Capitol lawn and the person wearing a Camp Auschwitz tshirt. She also holds space for all including custodial workers and clerks who suffered the trauma. Everyone deserves mental health support

138/

Rep. Pressley draws a clear contrast between the amount of armed federal forces dominating the streets of DC during nonviolent racial justice protests.

Asks Rosen about this

139/

Asks Rosen to share with him what personnel from CBP, ICE, DHS that went to DC. Said she follow up.

140/

Pressley: Did DOJ act differently preparing for summer of 2020 and January 6 attack? Yes or No.

Rosen said circumstances are different and responses get tailored.

Was it different for BLM than Jan. 6

141/

Last questioner is Mike Quigley of AL.

"Was there a discussion or not about whether the President should be reached for this."

Miller: "No I had all of the authority to make the decisions"

142/

Quigley asks a great question.

"If this is success, how would you classify a failure?"

He said DoD should be the last resort.

"To lose a battle and say it's everybody else's fault"

143/

💯This

Rep. Quigley: "We lost the building for the first time since 1814, but it's everybody else's fault but DoD?"

144/

Miller blames Congress.

Quigley responds "You lost and you don't have the intestinal fortitude to own up" to your responsibilithy.

145/

Closing remarks now. Comer quotes CNN. He says "they" said the hearing was "unproductive."

146/

This has been five hours. . . .

147/

Why is he still talking

148/

Now, @RepMaloney notes that two of these witnesses have not testified before. Thanks the witnesses.

"I was surprised and disappointed by the testimony of Mr. Rosen and Mr. Miller."

Me too.

149/

.@RepMaloney: "January 6th was a historic failure. . .Several Americans died. Our nation's peaceful transfer of power was delayed and nearly derailed."

If Rosen had done his job, this would have been prevented, and if Miller had done his, it would have been stopped earlier

150/

Maloney promotes independent commission on January 6 insurrection. Said 49 of recommendations in 9/11 report were implemented. "We need a commission that is funded with appropriate subpoena powers to do a thorough investigation and report . . .so it never happens again"

151/

Hearing adjourned.

152/152