The House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack formed in July 2021 after Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan commission. The committee’s investigation into the Capitol riot would become one of the most significant congressional inquiries in modern history.
Formation
Timeline:
- June: Senate Republicans filibuster independent commission
- July 1: House votes to form select committee (222-190)
- July 21: Pelosi names 8 members
- July 26: Cheney and Kinzinger (Republicans) join
- September: First subpoenas issued
Committee Membership
The bipartisan panel:
- Chair: Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
- Vice Chair: Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY)
- Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)
- 6 Democratic members
- McCarthy’s nominees rejected over Jan 6 involvement
2021 Subpoenas
Initial targets included:
- Mark Meadows (White House Chief of Staff)
- Steve Bannon (convicted contempt)
- Rally organizers
- Trump associates
- Social media companies for records
Cheney and Kinzinger
The Republican members faced:
- Primary challenges from Trump-backed candidates
- Censure by state GOP parties
- Death threats
- Isolation from Republican caucus
- Praise from Democrats
Obstruction Battles
The committee confronted:
- Executive privilege claims
- Delayed document production
- Witness stonewalling
- Contempt citations
- Legal battles over testimony
Public Hearings (2022)
While hearings began in 2022, the 2021 groundwork set the stage for dramatic revelations about Trump’s role in the attack.
Source: https://january6th.house.gov/