William Barr

JANUARY 6 COMMISSION BOMBSHELLS: TRUMP KNEW HE LOST, GLOATED AS CAPITOL WAS ATTACKED AND REFUSED TO SUMMON HELP

 

Some GOP members of Congress sought pardons for their roles in failed coup attempt, refused to testify, Cheney says

View video of the complete hearing

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2022 (Washington D.C.) -- The Senate’s Select Committee investigating the violent January 6, 2020 attack on the U.S. Capitol presented several shocking revelations during its first public hearing televised in prime time on June 9.

Chairman Bennie Thompson called the Jan. 6 attack an attempted “coup” (hear audio) and made clear that former President Donald Trump knew that the election was not stolen. He played video of Trump’s Attorney General, Bill Barr, testifying that Barr had repeatedly told Trump that there was no evidence of election fraud, even advising the President that such claims were “bulls**t.”  (hear audio). Thompson said the committee will prove in subsequent hearings that Trump organized a coup in an attempt to violently overthrow the U.S. government.

Next, ranking Republican Liz Cheney provided more evidence that Trump knew his stolen election claims were false. Even Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, told the selection committee that she believed Attorney General Barr.  (hear audio). Top campaign advisors to the President also counseled him that he had lost the election, and 62 judges including some appointed by Trump found no evidence of fraud.

Cheney asserted that Trump oversaw a seven-part plan to overturn the 2020 election.

A committee source told CNN that those seven steps were:

Audio: 

Chairman Bennie Thompson describes "coup"
Attorney General William Barr says he told Trump there was no election fraud
Senator Liz Cheney provides more evidence Trump knew he lost, and so did his daughter, Ivanka
Pres. Trump illegally demands Vice Pres. Pence stop the vote counting
Cheney reveals Trump made no effort to halt violence; Pence stepped in
Insurrectionists broke through a police line, violently assaulting officers
Officer Caroline Edwards testifies about the violent assault amidst a "war zone" at the Capitol
Republican Congressional members sought pardons for roles in the insurrection, Cheney reports
Rep. Perry calls hearings a "Soviet-style" show trial
Cheney warns "dishonor will remain"

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