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Op-ed by Elad Hakim
The Jan. 6 House Select Committee (“Committee”) is nothing but another desperate effort by Democrats and anti-Trumpers to implicate former President Donald Trump in some sort of criminal wrongdoing.
The committee is not engaged in an objective fact-finding mission nor a search for truth. In essence, the committee and its “investigation” share some eerily similar characteristics to Trump’s first impeachment, whereby Democrats also “investigated” Trump.
Republicans Shut Out
Conveniently, during both “investigations,” Republicans were shut out and left on the sidelines. On both occasions, Democrats used the opportunity to produce a politicized and woefully unconvincing “production” to go after President Trump.
The committee is comprised of seven Democrats and two “Never Trumper” Republicans. From its inception, Republicans who did not share the committee’s anti-Trump sentiment were rejected. Specifically, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blocked two of Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s picks, Reps. Jim Jordan and Jim Banks, because they voted against certifying the election, which Pelosi claimed “may undermine the integrity of the committee.” As such, McCarthy pulled all Republicans from possible consideration.
There was no compelling reason for Pelosi to disqualify Jordan or Banks. After all, if Pelosi was truly concerned about integrity, why didn’t she take any decisive action when, according to The Federalist, committee members doctored a text message between Jordan and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows? It is certainly reasonable to question the integrity of one or more individuals who intentionally go out of their way to engage in such conduct.
True Motivations
Pelosi’s decision to block Jordan and Banks from the committee casts additional doubt about the committee’s true motivation. Rather than creating a truly bipartisan committee, Pelosi spearheaded a highly partisan committee chaired by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., who made the following statement on the first day of the hearings, “Donald Trump was at the center of that conspiracy. And ultimately, Donald Trump — the president of the United States — spurred a mob of domestic enemies of the Constitution to march down the Capitol and subvert American democracy.”
Interestingly, according to House Resolution 503, the chair of the committee has the power to authorize and issue subpoenas, compel by subpoena the furnishing of information by interrogatory, and order the taking of depositions. The chair, upon consultation with the ranking minority member, also has the power to recognize the staff of the Select Committee to question a witness. Simply stated, the chair, who blamed Trump for the events on Jan. 6, also had significant power and influence on/over the very committee that was “investigating” Trump.
While many Democrats defend the committee and its investigation, the committee’s lack of objectivity and bias are palpable. The committee solely consists of Democrats and anti-Trumpers. The committee chair blamed Trump for the events of Jan. 6 in his opening remarks.
A One-sided Production
Other than the two anti-Trumpers, no Republicans were permitted to sit on the committee or challenge or question any testimony or evidence. The committee has primarily focused on those associated with Trump rather than others who could have played a role in some manner. Finally, there were no opportunities to provide evidence or testimony in opposition to the committee’s presentation.
Had this been an honest attempt to discover the truth, Pelosi would have allowed Jordan, Banks, and other Republicans of McCarthy’s choosing to sit on the committee. The committee would have also investigated or subpoenaed records from individuals other than those associated with Trump.
For example, as House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik told Breitbart News Saturday, Nancy Pelosi’s office “is the only one off limits and that she bears responsibility for the security posture.” Stefanik was referring to various Jan. 6 security-related documents and communications, which Pelosi has seemingly failed to turn over. Stefanik said, “And if they want to provide excuses, which is what they always do to push back in the media, then turn over the documents. Where are the documents? Where the communications, Nancy? Until she does that, we know that she bears responsibility.”
This is not the first time that Democrats have kept Republicans out of their “investigations.” During Trump’s first impeachment, Democrats used similar tactics during their impeachment inquiry, which drew the ire of many Republicans. Then, like now, Democrats engaged in a politicized witch hunt to go after Trump.
Fortunately, they failed miserably.
The search for truth requires an open and honest investigation. Sadly, the committee’s investigation has entirely missed the mark. The committee has not engaged in a quest to discover the truth but has produced a play to fit its own narrative.
As President Trump recently posted on Truth Social, the revelations of the committee are “A one sided, totally partisan, POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!” Based on recent polling, many Americans appear to agree with him.
Mr. Hakim is an attorney and columnist. His articles have been published in The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, American Thinker, and other online publications. He is also a regular guest on OANN’s Tipping Point, and has appeared on Newsmax, The Dave Weinbaum Show, and Real America’s Voice.
