Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

We are inside the hearing room for the US House Select Jan 6 committee. Meeting on contempt of Congress report against Steve Bannon begins at 730pm.

(The gentleman on the right is committee staffer and former US Rep Denver Riggleman R-VA)

Leaders of the committee will give opening statements. Standby for that

You can watch along here:

Flagging this: Per court filing today, US House Jan 6 Select Committee will eventually seek testimony from at least one defendant in the Capitol riot. (At least one)

Defendant wants to do it, per defense lawyer

Later date (not happening tonight)

Meanwhile, here's the summons for House Jan 6 Select Committee chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) in the civil suit filed by Donald Trump

It's dated today

The committee "Business meeting" has begun
Chairman Bennie Thompson: "It brings me no joy that we've had to call this meeting"

Note the email from last month between Thompson and Steve Bannon's lawyer ===>

Thompson: "We won't take no for an answer"

Thompson says the committee expects US Attorney for DC will prosecute Bannon.

Thompson: "I want to make it clear how isolated Mr. Bannon is .. in his refusal to cooperate with (the committee)"

Thompson says committee has successfully secured many interviews, records...

"It's essential we get Mr. Bannon's factual and complete testimony"

Thompson: Bannon's defiance could encourage others to follow down his path

Bannon poses rhetorical question to viewers of meeting: "What would happen to you if you did what Mr. Bannon was doing?"

Thompson says Americans are being lied to about Jan 6. He says lies about the election "haven't gone away"... "now we have a key witness who is refusing to comply"

I’ve covered many Congressional hearings and meetings. This feels different. All Members are present. All looking straight ahead. None distracted, absent or appearing to dissent as chairman speaks.
Gives the image of “speaking with one voice”

Rep Liz Cheney (R-WY) is vice-chair & is speaking now. She's referencing Steve Bannon's Jan 5, 2021 statement that "all hell is going to break loose tomorrow"

Cheney: "The American people are entitled to Mr. Bannon's testimony"

"Preserving our Constitution and rule of law is the central purpose of this investigation"

Cheney: "What happened on January 6th was profoundly wrong"

"(Trump) has now urged Republicans not to vote in 2022 and 2024. This is a prescription for national self-destruction"

Committee is now reading through the committee report on whether to recommend House of Representatives find Bannon in Contempt of Congress..

Here it is: docs.house.gov/meetings/IJ/IJ…

Chairman Thompson says Bannon's lawyer yesterday requested one week to "assess Select Committee's request" in light of Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Committee filed Monday. Thompson: "We are not aware of any basis for your client's refusal to appear.."

ALERT: House Select January 6th committee *unanimously* approves report recommending US House find Steven Bannon in contempt of Congress