September 20, 2024

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Six takeaways from Thursday’s January 6 US Capitol revolt listening to

Thursday’s congressional committee listening to into the January 6, 2021, Capitol revolt by way of supporters of Donald Trump featured minute-by-minute accountings of the then-president’s movements — and inactiveness — as his supporters introduced a violent assault.

Listed here are six takeaways from the listening to:

Hawley raises fist, then runs

The committee confirmed a well known symbol of conservative Republican Senator Josh Hawley, who’s considered eyeing a run for president, out of doors the Capitol elevating his arm, hand balled right into a fist, to inspire the collection indignant crowds nonetheless being held in the back of safety strains.

Whilst that symbol was once acquainted, certainly one who Hawley has used to lift cash, the committee adopted up with new photographs: More than one video clips of Hawley working from the rioters, first fleeing throughout a hallway and later down a flight of steps.

Silence within the chamber is damaged – and changed with laughter – when @January6thCmte displays video of @HawleyMO fleeing rioters in Capitol.

And identical to a well-produced TV program…they promise extra…after the wreck. %.twitter.com/6zAxyYWkhi

— Noah Pransky (@noahpransky) July 22, 2022

The listening to room, filled with newshounds, congressional aides, safety body of workers and guests broke into laughter because the photos was once performed.

Announcing good-bye to households

Vice President Mike Pence sheltered in his ceremonial place of job on the second one flooring of the Senate as rioters driven nearer and nearer, as considered in movies proven on the listening to.

There was once smoke in a close-by hallway as US Capitol Police attempted to corral a gaggle of attackers, and Secret Provider brokers desperately attempted to determine whether or not they may safely evacuate Pence to some other location at the Capitol grounds.

The Vice President additionally labored the telephones from his personal safe evacuation location.

Take a look at never-before-seen pictures of the Vice President throughout the Capitol assault and listen to in regards to the Pence’s conversations with army leaders to safe the construction. %.twitter.com/MAwzCwJent

— January sixth Committee (@January6thCmte) July 22, 2022

“The safety element of the vp was once beginning to worry for their very own lives,” one nameless White Space safety reputable testified on video performed on the listening to.

Rioters had been simply toes away, the reputable testified, including that brokers had been “screaming and announcing good-bye to circle of relatives.”

Pence in the end was once moved quickly to a Capitol loading dock.

Jan. 6 ’emboldened’ US adversaries

Matthew Pottinger, a deputy nationwide safety adviser underneath Trump, testified that the revolt now not simplest ended in US allies voicing fear “in regards to the well being of our democracy,” but in addition gave convenience to The united states’s adversaries.

“I feel it emboldened our enemies by way of serving to give them ammunition to feed a story that our gadget of presidency doesn’t paintings; that the USA is in decline,” Pottinger mentioned.

Even earlier than January 6, as Trump falsely claimed the presidential election was once stolen from him, Pottinger mentioned he feared Washington’s adversaries could be tempted to check US unravel, noting an assault in overdue December on america embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, by way of militias he mentioned had been sponsored by way of Iran.

Prime-profile hearings now not over but

Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson mentioned the investigation is continuous with extra other folks providing to be witnesses.

Thompson tamped down hypothesis that this 8th listening to of the summer season is also the final, announcing extra are in retailer for September, simply weeks earlier than the November 8 midterm elections that may come to a decision whether or not Republicans take majority keep watch over of the Senate or Space of Representatives.

Trump ‘selected’ to not forestall the revolt

Consultant Adam Kinzinger, considered one of two Republicans at the Space’s choose committee, portrayed a president who was once glad with the violence he watched unfolding on the Capitol on January 6

Those Donald Trump Junior texts (with the profanity) simply learn out on nationwide tv by way of @RepKinzinger throughout the @January6thCmte primetime listening to. %.twitter.com/xEZXkThZvF

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) July 22, 2022

“The mob was once carrying out President Trump’s goal, so after all he didn’t intrude” to prevent the violence till greater than 3 hours after it had begun, Kinzinger mentioned. “President Trump didn’t fail to behave throughout the 187 mins between leaving the Ellipse and telling the mob to move house. He selected to not act.”

Trump made no calls to most sensible officers

Prime-ranking officers, together with then-White Space Suggest Pat Cipollone, testified on pre-recorded videotape that the president watched tv for hours throughout the Capitol revolt within the White Space eating room.

They mentioned that they weren’t acutely aware of Trump making telephone calls to Cupboard heads, together with the secretaries of protection and native land safety, the lawyer common or the Nationwide Guard, all of whom can have aided in preventing the violence on Capitol Hill.