On Wednesday the House Select Committee investigating the events of the Jan 6th Capitol riot sent a letter to Republican Rep. Jim Jordan requesting he appear before the panel. In the letter, the panel claims Rep. Jordan was in regular communication with President Trump leading up to the riot.
The Hill reports:
“We understand that you had at least one and possibly multiple communications with President Trump on Jan. 6. We would like to discuss each such communication with you in detail. And we also wish to inquire about any communications you had on January 5th or 6th with those in the Willard War Room, the Trump legal team, White House personnel or others involved in organizing or planning the actions and strategies for January 6th,” Chair Bennie Thompson wrote in the letter, referring to the Willard Hotel where the Trump team organized its efforts.
“Public reporting suggests that you may also have information about meetings with White House officials and the then-President in November and December 2020, and early-January 2021, about strategies for overturning the results of the 2020 election. We would also like to ask you about any discussions involving the possibility of presidential pardons for individuals involved in any aspect of Jan. 6 or the planning for Jan. 6.”
Jordan, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee and vice chair of the House Freedom Caucus, is the second member of Congress to receive such a letter from the committee.
On Monday, the committee asked for similar cooperation from incoming Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn.) who has already rebuffed the committee and said he will decline to appear.
The panel pivoted after the swift rebuke from Rep. Perry and even offered to hold the interview in Rep. Jordan’s home district.
During an interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade Rep. Jordan noted his uncomfort with the panel and its requests.
The Hill reports:
“It looks like the Jan. 6 committee, who didn’t want you on them, on the Jan. 6 committee, might want you in front of them to take questions. What will your reaction be? Will it be the same as Mark Meadows — take a walk — or would you sit down and speak to them?” Kilmeade asked Jordan.
“I mean we just got the letter today, Brian,” Jordan answered, later alleging that the committee had previously altered documents.
“We’re going to review the letter, but I gotta be honest with you. I got real concerns about any committee that will take a document and alter it and present it to the American people, completely mislead the American people like they did last week,” he added.
Rep. Jordan was referring to a text message the panel altered between him and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
