January 6 Committee Hearing - Part 8: news summary

"There were calls to say goodbye to family members"

The security detail protecting Vice President Mike Pence were making calls to their families over fears that they may not make it out of the Capitol. Today we learned that Donald Trump was aware of the threat against his own VP and still sent a tweet placing an even greater target on his back. 

The eighth hearing has come to an end with some final remarks from Vice Chair Liz Cheney. 

This was one of the more detail rich hearings and the public learned a lot. 

While the committee had said that much of the focus would be on what was going on in the White House, the parts about the feelings inside the Capitol were also compelling. From this hearing it has become very clear that the leaders inside the buildings were terrified and some of the security agents protecting top officials were worried they would lose their lives. 

It also became very clear that President Trump sat in the White House and did not take any actions to try and stop the violence for hours. 

Many questions remain as to whether or not the Republican party will continue to endorse Trump if he choses to run again. 

Hearing is wrapping up. 

The committee releases texts Mark Meadows received on January 6th

From Fox News anchors like Laura Ingram to leaders on Capitol Hill, many people sent messages to Mark Meadows that he needed to get the president to end the violence. 

The next day, January 7th, Trump chose his words very carefully in the video he posted about the events. He refused to say that the "election was over." 

Sarah Matthews tells the committee that while she “thought Jan. 6, 2021, was one of the darkest days in our American history and Trump was acting like it was a celebratory occasion.” 

This was one of the main reasons she chose to resign. While many commend her bravery, it is critical that Trump had been undermining US democracy for weeks before the events at the Capitol. Some criticize the decision saying that it should not have taken a disaster of this size to encourage top officials to leave their posts. 

House GOP Twitter account deletes tweet attacking Sarah Matthews who testified before the January 6th committee

The House GOP Twitter account, sent a message attacking one of the star witnesses of today’s House select committee on January 6th hearing, Sarah Matthews. Currently, Matthews serves as the Communications Director for the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, a role she has been in since February 2021.

Read more. 

Many familiar with the situation said that McCarthy was very scared during the attack.

"Well Kevin, I guess they are just more upset about the election theft than you are," said Donald Trump to the House Minority leader according to one of the individuals who testified in front of the committee.

These comments came after Rep. McCarthy told Trump that his staff was running for their lives after the rioters entered his office after breaking the windows. 

The two then began to swear at eachother on the phone call. 

Almost everyone in the White House wanted the presidnet to tell the mob to go home... Presidnet Trump did not listen. 

We are back... starting with clips for the committee's interview with Donald Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. 

Trump made calls to Kosh Hawley (R-MO) and Tommy Tubberville (R-AL)

As rioters were entering the Captiol, the committee confimred that Trump called at least two Republican senators: Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Tommy Tubberville (R-AL). 

Both of these men had to cut their conversation short as they were forced to evacuate as the protesters were able to enter the building. 

House GOP deletes Tweet attacking commitee witness Sarah Matthews

The House GOP Twitter account tweeted a personal attack on one of the witnesses testifying for the House select committee on January 6th. The tweet could be seen as a type of intimidation that could violate criminal laws against witnesses tampering. 

The Tweet incorrectly stated that Matthews is a part of a 'Pelosi witch-hunt" and called her a liar and a pawn. 

Secret Service called their families to say that they may die with the Vice Presidnet, Mike Pence. 

Sarah Matthews told her boss that the president needed to make a statment

WE BOTH RECOGNIZED THAT THE SITUATION WAS ESCALATING QUICKLY AND THAT THE PRESIDENT NEEDED TO BE OUT THERE IMMEDIATELY TO TELL THESE PEOPLE TO GO HOME AND CONDEMNED THE VIOLENCE THAT WE ARE SEEING. I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS GOING TO MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION AND HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO MAKE THE SAME RECOMMENDATION TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF, MARK MEADOWS.

President Trump could have made an address to the public within a matter of minutes, so should he have chosen. He did not. 

Staff grew increasingly worried. 

People in the White House knew that the president approved of the rioters and their violent rhetoric towards Mike Pence

I AM CONFIDENT IT WAS PAT THAT WAS THERE. I REMEMBER PAT SAYING SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF MARK, WE ARE LITERALLY CALLING FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT TO BE HUNG. HE SAID HE DID NOT THINK THEY WERE DOING ANYTHING WRONG TO WHICH SAID SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS CRAZY.

Early in the attack, White House staff tried to get Trump to call it all off

1:49 PM: Donald Trump tweets a recording of his speech 

2:24 PM: Donald Trump tweets again 

In-between, his staff came in and asked him to call off the attack and to condemn the violence that was unfolding. 

During the Capitol attack, Trump was calling senators to encourage them to overturn the election results

Trump was calling Senators during the Capitol to tell them to overturn the certification, or at a minimum delay it. 

Who exactly was called is not yet known because the call logs are empty. 

He wanted a list of the Senators and I left him at that point," said Kayleigh McEnany during her interview with the committee. 

Secret Service ensured that Trump never made it to the Capiol

THE SECRET SERVICE AGENT WAS ADAMANT THAT HE COULD NOT GO. WE HAVE EVIDENCE FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES REGARDING AN ANGRY EXCHANGE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL SUV INCLUDING TESTIMONY THAT WE WILL DISCLOSE TODAY AND TO WITNESSES WHO CONFIRMED THAT A CONFRONTATION OCCURRED. THE FIRST WITNESS IS A FORMER WHITE HOUSE EMPLOYEE WITH NATIONAL SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES. AFTER SEEING THE INITIAL VIOLENCE AT THE CAPITOL ON TV, THE INDIVIDUAL WENT TO SEE THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF. IT WAS BOBBY INGLE, THE LEAD SECRET SERVICE AGENT TO THE PRESIDENT. THIS EMPLOYEE TOLD US THAT HE SAID THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS IRATE WHEN MR. INGLE REFUSED TO DRIVE THEM TO THE CAPITAL. THE SECOND WITNESS IS RETIRED SERGEANT MARK ROBINSON OF THE D.C. POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO WAS ASSIGNED TO THE PRESIDENTIAL MOTORCADE THAT DAY. HE SAT AND LEAD VEHICLE WITH THE SECRET SERVICE AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MOTORCADE. HERE IS HOW HE REMEMBERS THE EXCHANGE.

Who is Sarah Edwards?

"I am a lifelong Republican," said Sarah Matthews to open her testiomy. When Kayleigh McEnany began to work in the White House, she brought a team with her, of which Ms. Matthews formed part. She was in the White House on January 6th. 

Who is Matthew Pottinger?

Matthew Pottinger served as Deputy National Security Advisor under Presidnet Trump. His first job at the White House was as the Asia director within the National Security Advisor's office and helped the adminstration form policy in the region. 

Pottinger was in the White House for most of the day on January 6th. He made clear that his office was not involved in the planning of the rally on that day. 

Who is Representative Adam Kinzinger?

Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) is one of the few Republicans on the committee. He served in the air force and has a background in intelligence, which is how he landed a seat on the commitee. 

"This hearing is princiaplly about what was going on in the White House that afternoon." 

The commitee will use the month of August to gather more evidence and conduct more interviews with witnesses who have now come forward. 

"The dam has begun to break," said Vice Chair Liz Cheney.

Chairmen Thompson says there should be consequences for those involved in the insurrection

"There must be stiff consequences for those responsible." 

Chairmen Thompson says that this will be the last hearing until September. 

Chairmen Benny Thompson will lead the hearing virtually as he is quarantined with covid-19. He has handed over many duties to Vice-Chair Liz Cheney. 

Witnesses are walking in to the chamber... 

The eighth hearing will focus the 187 minutes of Trump's inaction

This is the final scheduled hearing for the House select committee on January 6th and it will focus on Trump's inaction from the White House for 187 minutes while his supporters took over the Capitol. 

While it may not be possible to undertake a minute by minute analysis, the committee hopes that the witnesses and their other interviews will be able to provide valuable information for the public to better understand the events of the sixth.  

Trump can't say he doesn't know Matthew Pottinger

With many of the witnesses who have testified, Trump, and those who continue to support him, have tried to downplay the power of the information they provided to the public. During today's hearing, various outlets have reported that Matthew Pottinger who served in the Trump administration as Deputy National Security Advisor will testify. Pottinger is one of the officials who worked of him that he will able to say "oh I don't know this guy." 

Country in crisis... President Trump cheering it on

From the White House on January 6th, Presidnet Trump watched on as rioters overtook the US Capitol. The events of that day caused two top officials in his adminstratiom, Sarah Matthews and Matthew Pottinger, to leave their posts. 

Focus on the three hours that Donald Trump refused to defend the Capitol

This hearing will focus on the three hours between Trump's speech at the ellipse and his message asking his supporters to leave the Capitol. Many have stated that President Trump was watching in glee as his supporters violently overtook the Capitol.

At one point. around two hours into the attack, he even tweeted that "Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!"

This was extremely inflamatory and emboldened the rioters. Later the public found out that some who entered the Capitol were chanting "hang Mike Pence!" and had erected gallows outside on the steps. 

These hours in between his speech and when he told them to "go home in peace," will be the subject of tonight's inquiry. 

Who will be testifying during today's hearing during the select commitee on January 6th?

CNN has been able to confirm two witnesses that will testify during today's hearing: 

- Former-Deputy National Security Advisor, Matthew Pottinger

-Former-Deputy Press Secretary, Sarah Matthews. 

Both Pottinger and Matthews resigned in the wake of the January 6th attack and are not likely to be very friendly to the Trump administration during their testimony. 

Chairmen Thompson and Vice-Chair Cheney comment on the deletion of Secret Service text messages

he U.S. Secret Service system migration process went forward on January 27, 2021, just three weeks after the attack on the Capitol in which the Vice President of the United States while under the protection of the Secret Service, was steps from a violent mob hunting for him. Four House committees had already sought these critical records from the Department of Homeland Security before the records were apparently lost.

US NEWS

Who is Sarah Matthews, the Trump aide who will testify at the next January 6 hearing?

Sarah Matthews, a former Trump aid, may be testifying tonight during today's house select committee on January 6th. This information has been reported by CNN, which has also has stated that Matthew Pottinger, another aid may also awnser questins publically in from the commitee. 

Matthews, who resigned due to the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, was deputy press secretary. That day, Sarah issued a statement saying she was “honored” to serve in the Trump administration, but was “disturbed” by the events of that day.

Read more. 

Primetime hearing scheduled for 8 PM ET

The House Select Committee on January 6th will host its eighth hearing tonight. The primetime slot brings with it pressure that the committee will be able to provide groundbreaking new information on the case. 

The Select Committee on January 6th will host their eighth hearing in primetime this evening. Welcome to our live blog covering the event. 

This hearing will focus on President Trump's role in the Capitol insurrection and many believe Reps. Elaine Luria (D-VA) and  Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) will lead the hearing including questions to any potential witnesses. The names of possible witnesses that the public could hear from today have not been released. However, CNN has reported that Sarah Matthews and Matthew Pottinger, two former White House officials, may testify publically. 

On 20 July, Chairmen Benny Thompson and Vice-Chair Liz Cheney released a statement on the progress made by the Department of Homeland Security in turning over text messages from Secret Service agents sent January 5th and 6th, 2021. In the statement, the two rose concerns "about a system migration that we have been told resulted in the erasure of Secret Service cell phone data. The U.S. Secret Service system migration process went forward on January 27, 2021, just three weeks after the attack on the Capitol in which the Vice President of the United States while under the protection of the Secret Service, was steps from a violent mob hunting for him." It seems that the event could be a possible breach in federal data protection law and raises serious suspicions on whether or not the messages were intentionally deleted.