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..
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
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Attorneys are entering courtroom here at DC federal court
Judge James Boasberg has 3pm hearing to get to the bottom of why his orders to "turn the planes around" wasn't complied with last month.. When Trump Administration used 18th century law to deport Venezuelans
Judge Boasberg doesn't waste time. He opens hearing noting the "public attention" being attracted by these deportations of Venezuelan nationals.. and the court order that was NOT complied with
Judge asks DOJ to confirm that they *knew* his order didn't prevent gang members from remaining jailed.... and didn't prevent them from being deported thru normal means
FLASH: Law firm Jenner and Block sues Trump Administration over executive order targeting the firm
They allege order is unlawful and a violation of first amendment
Jenner and Block:
“Order threatens not only Jenner, but also its clients and the legal system itself. Our Constitution, top to bottom, forbids attempts by the government to punish citizens and lawyers based on the clients they represent, the positions they advocate, the opinions they voice, and the people with whom they associate.”
Jenner and Block (more):
“These orders send a clear message to the legal profession: Cease certain representations adverse to the government and renounce the Administration’s critics—or suffer the consequences. The orders also attempt to pressure businesses and individuals to question or even abandon their associations with their chosen counsel,
and to chill bringing legal challenges at all.”
Chief Judge James Boasberg says the Justice Dept was late and evasive with its filing today, answering his questions about last weekend's deportation flight of alleged Venezuelan gang members
New deadlines set... *and* there's a hearing TOMORROW at 230pm
According to Judge Boasberg's order moments ago: The Dept of Justice had an acting ICE field officer argue "I understand that Cabinet Secretaries are currently actively considering whether to invoke the state secrets privilege over the other facts requested by the Court’s order. Doing so is a serious matter that requires careful consideration of national security and foreign relations, and it cannot properly be undertaken in just 24 hours.”
Judge James Boasberg is pretty blunt in his response to today's argument from the Justice Dept:
President Biden issues pre-emptive pardons to "General Mark A. Milley, Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee"
(MORE)
President Biden statement: "The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country"
President Biden (MORE): "The Select Committee fulfilled this mission with integrity and a commitment to discovering the truth. Rather than accept accountability, those who perpetrated the January 6th attack have taken every opportunity to undermine and intimidate those who participated in the Select Committee in an attempt to rewrite history, erase the stain of January 6th for partisan gain, and seek revenge, including by threatening criminal prosecutions"