By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
Report for America Corps member
As the Jan 6. special committee closes in on Donald Trump, the former president is now trying to blame a Black woman – D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, to be exact– for the insurrection that took place on Jan. 6, 2021.
“Jan. 6 is her and Nancy’s fault. “No, I’m not kidding” (as Joe Biden would say!),” said Donald Trump via his social media platform, Truth Social, on July 31.
Trump’s latest social media outburst comes just days after the last Jan. 6 summer hearings came to a close. There will be a short respite for the public, who won’t see more evidence related to the Jan. 6 riot until later this year in September.
Bowser became a Trump target when she asked for help with migrants after Republicans began making good on their April threat to bus migrants to other areas of the country.
Trump commented on Twitter on the fact that Mayor Bowser is seeking the National Guard’s help to deal with the migrants now after she allegedly refused help for the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
“The Mayor of Washington, D.C., wants the National Guard to help with the thousands of illegal immigrants, coming from the insane Open Border, that is flooding the City, but refused National Guard help when it came to providing security at the Capitol Building for a far larger crowd on Jan. 6. Figure that one out?” said Trump in a Truth Social post on July 29.
“If there is no accountability for Jan. 6, I fear we will not be able to overcome the ongoing threat to our democracy,” said Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02).
The last day of the hearing took place on July 22 and highlighted Donald Trump’s duties and lack of action on the day of the insurrection.
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA-02) and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16), one of two Republicans on the committee, helped set the stage for the hearing.
Key takeaways from July 22 hearing:
Former President Trump would not listen
“He [Trump] could not be moved,” said Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) about Trump’s early unwillingness to accept the election results.
As in previous hearings, the committee continued to show snapshots of Trump’s team conversing with each other regarding Trump’s unsavory actions leading up to and during the insurgence.
Vice-Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY) gave a minute-by-minute depiction of Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021. This included details of Trump’s time upon returning to the White House after the rally and after the insurrection was already taking place.
The committee alleged that while his supporters stormed the Capitol Building to stop the certification of the election of President Joe Biden, Trump was making calls to elected officials pleading his case.
New witnesses
Two new witnesses joined the plethora of Trump’s allies to testify and speak with the House committee throughout the past year. Former White House aides Matthew Pottinger and Sarah Matthews testified on day eight.
Upon a complete investigation, a peaceful concession should occur, Pottinger believes. American society should protect the peaceful transition of power during elections.
Matthews testified about a conversation between Pat Cipollone, former White House counsel, and Eric Herschmann, former senior advisor to the President.
“Trump did not want to direct anyone on what to do,” said Matthews.
Donald Trump’s duties
The select committee highlighted Trump’s messaging and word choice for dispersing the crowd. According to the committee, The Jan. 6 crowd planned to attack former Vice President Pence. Trump’s staff said he did not want to subdue them immediately.
“We love you. You’re very special. Go home and go home in peace,” said Trump in the video statement on U.S. Capitol protesters to protestors.
The committee asked Cipollone if anyone in the White House staff did not want the insurrectionists to depart.
“I can’t think of anybody,” said Cipollone in an interview with the select committee.
Ongoing new information
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) reported that the select committee received new information and interviews daily. She also updated viewers on the outcome of the subpoena for more information from the Secret Service filed the week before the eighth hearing. The Secret Service response letter was made available on July 19.
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