January 6th Captiol attack - Part 7 live updates: Steve Bannon, Pat Cipollone, Oath Keepers, Steve Bannon, Stephen Ayres, Donald Trump, Insurrection

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Today's hearing has come to an end. This event was different than those held in the past in that it relied primarily on video evidence that has been gathered by the committee over the last year. 

However, the two final witnesses were critical to understanding just how Donald Trump upended the lives of so many of his voters. Additionally, the behavior of the president is startling because it reminds us of how large the political divide has become since he took office.  

Leaders called on both parties to address and understand the threats that face US democracy, but so far, it does not seem that they even know how to begin that process. 

Vice Chair Liz Cheney stated that President Trump made an attempt to contact a witness who the pubic has not heard from. The witness rejected the call and told their legal team who informed the committee. This information has been passed along to the Department of Justice. 

One of the main themes that has come out of these hearings is how the lives of everyday people have been upended by Donald Trump. From those who were lied to and urged to come to Washington and encouraged to storm the Capitol. Thousands have been arrested and charged with illegally entering the building. 

Trump continues to lie about what happened and in the coming weeks he could announce his bid for election in 2024. 

The hearing is wrapping up. 

Closing statements will now be made. 

Van Tatenhove says US is 'lucky' that there wasn't more bloodshed

I THINK, AS FAR AS LUCK GOES, WE'VE HAD THE POTENTIAL FROM BUNDY RANCH ON. BEING BOOTS ON THE GROUND AT THESE STANDOFFS, AND THEY WERE STANDOFFS, WHERE THERE WERE FIREARMS POINTED ACROSS LINES AT FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS. WHATEVER IT MAY BE WITH THAT PARTICULAR STANDOFF. BUT I THINK THAT WE'VE GOTTEN EXCEEDINGLY LUCKY THAT MORE BLOODSHED DID NOT HAPPEN, BECAUSE THE POTENTIAL HAS BEEN THERE FROM THE START. WE GOT VERY LUCKY THAT THE LOSS OF LIFE WAS, AS TRAGIC AS IT IS THAT WE SAW ON JANUARY SIX, THE POTENTIAL WAS SO MUCH MORE. AGAIN, ALL WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IS THE ICONIC IMAGES OF THAT DAY. WITH THE GALLOWS SET UP FOR MIKE PENCE, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. I DO FEAR FOR THIS NEXT ELECTION CYCLE, BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHAT THAT MIGHT BRING IF A PRESIDENT THAT'S WILLING TO TRY TO INSTILL AND ENCOURAGE, TO WHIP UP, A CIVIL WAR AMONGST HIS FOLLOWERS, USING LIES AND DECEIT AND SNAKE OIL. REGARDLESS OF THE HUMAN IMPACT, WHAT ELSE IS HE GOING TO DO IF HE GETS ELECTED AGAIN? ALL BETS ARE OFF AT THAT POINT. THAT'S A SCARY NOTION. I HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS, I HAVE A GRANDDAUGHTER. AND I FEAR FOR THE WORLD THAT THEY WILL INHERIT IF WE DO NOT START HOLDING THESE PEOPLE TO ACCOUNT.

Rioters thought that Donald Trump would join them at the Capitol

"Everyone thought he [Donald Trump] was going to be coming down." 

Former Oath Keeper member asked why he came to Washington DC on January 6th?

 Stephen Ayres, a major supporter of former-Presidnet Trump and when he put out the information on the stop the steal rally, he felt that he needed to go. He learned about the rally on social media and he also had a couple friends who were attending. 

Ayres beleived that the election had been stolen when he entered the Capitol. When hearing from Presidnet Trump that the election was stolen he was "upset" and that the words of the president are what "got him to come down" to DC. After the event, Ayres, deleted social media and then he started doing his own reserach. He was shocked by the events of the 6th and he began to realize that this was all "too big." 

Who will be testifying today?

There are two witnesses 

- Former Oath Keepers spokesman, Jason Van Tatenhove

- Trump supporter who pled guilty for illegal entering the Capitol,  Stephen Ayres

Donald Trump added references to courage and fighting to his speech. He also added several lines putting pressure on Mike Pence to convince him to overturn the results of the election. 

White House counsel Pat Cipollone did not attend the rally and he was very worried that the president would lie. 

Donald Trump spoke to his staff about his plans for the rally on 6 January

White House aids spoke with the committee about the meeting they had the night before the rally on January 6th. One said that he was in a very good mood and told congressional leaders that he expected them to vote against certification of the election. 

Donald Trump also asked questions about the most effective ways to get to the Capitol which his staff pivoted away from and told him to focus on his "achievements." 

Members of Congress,  Bryan Babin, Andy Biggs, Matt Gates, Louis Gohmert, Paul Gosar, Andy Harris, Jody Hice, Jim Jordan, and Scott Perry and then Congresswoman Elect Marjorie Taylor Greene were all present at a meeting at the White House on 21 December. During this meeting, those in attendence began the theories of John Eastman, which were described as "nutty." 

Eastman beleived that the Vice Presidnet had the power to overturn the election result. He was repeatedly told by the White House counsel that this idea was wrong and that he would not recieve a single vote from a Supreme Court justice if the case were to be presented in the highest court in the land. 

All of these members latter tried to request a presidential pardon after the events of January 6th. 

Hearing resumes

We are now entering the second part of today's hearing. 

This part of the hearing will focus on the extreamist organizations who began to collaborate, leading up to the events on January 6th.  

Committee members are reentering the chamber 

The committee is experiencing some technical difficulties which has caused the Chairmen to extend the recess. The group hopes the issues will be resolved ASAP. 

Right-wing media fell in-line behind Trump

Extremist right wing media and internet personalities got in line behind President Trump and began to spread violent messages about what the country could expect on January 6th. 

One right-wing YouTuber, said "You better understand something son, you better understand something son -- red white -- there's gonna be a red wedding going down January 6th." 

Recess 

White House meeting on 18 December described as "unhinged"

The committee showed testimony from various figures that were present at the White House on 18 December for a meeting that took place with staff and outside election and legal allies. This meeting went south, fast, with many recalling screaming and personal attacks from the various camps. 

Extremist right wing media and internet personalities got in line behind President Trump and began to spread violent messages about what the country could expect on January 6th. 

One right-wing YouTuber, said "You better understand something son, you better understand something son -- red white -- there's gonna be a red wedding going down January 6th." 

When describing the White House meeting with many outside lawyers that took place on 18 December 2020 was described as "unhinged" with many attendees yelling and attacking each other. 

Rudy Giuliani sid that those who were against the siezing of voting machines were called "pussies" for not wanting to "go far enough." 

Trump wanted the DoJ to seize voting machines

In a meeting with AG Bill Barr, Presidnet Trump said that he had heard from other advisors that he could "have the Department of Justice seize voting machines in the states." 

Barr flately rejected this idea saying "Asolutely not, there's no probable cause and I'm not going to seize any machines. And that was that." 

"How long is he going to carry on with this stolen election stuff?" asked AG Barr

Barr spoke with Mark Meadows had tried to assure him that they were working on getting Trump to accept the results of the elections. 

Cassidy Hutchinson made similar comments telling the committee that there were many people within the government who were incredibly worried about the actions of the president. As the 6th drew closer, these worries began to intensify. 

"Everyone is obligated to abide by the ruling of the courts," said Cipollone, and this includes President Trump. 

Committee met with Pat Cipollone last Friday for eight hours

The committee met with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone for eight hours were he agreed that there was no evidence of fraud and that it was his beleif that the president should have conceded that he lost the election. 

Rep. Raskin's powerful remarks on Trump's actions leading up to January 6th

AS WE WILL SAY TODAY, THIS VERY OLD PROBLEM HAS RETURNED WITH NEW FEROCITY TODAY, AS A PRESIDENT WHO LOST AN ELECTION DEPLOYED A MOB, WHICH INCLUDED DANGEROUS EXTREMISTS TO ATTACK THE CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM OF ELECTION IN THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER. AND, AS WE WILL SAY, THE CREATION OF THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA HAS GIVEN TODAY'S TYRANTS, TOOLS OF PROPAGANDA AND DISINFORMATION THAT YESTERDAY'S DESPOTS COULD ONLY HAVE DREAMED OF, I YIELD BACK TO THE GENTLELADY FROM FLORIDA.
 

Rep. Raskin makes his opening speach.

"Donald Trump was still trying to find a way to hang onto the presidency." 

A draft executive order was brought to the president on 18 December, that would have called on the US military to seize voting equipment in states across the country. This meeting with outside lawyers, his White House team, and others, has been described as "unhinged" and one of the most ludicrous that took place during his tenure. 

When the White House staff rejected the idea of sizing voting machines, President Trump was upset,  it was at that point, that he mobilized his supporters and called on them to come to DC. 

Who is Stephanie Murphy?

Con. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), will be one of two representatives leading the questioning of today's witnesses who have not yet been announced. 

Much of the focus of the hearing will be brought to Donald Trump's tweet sent on December 14th, urging his supporters to come to Washington DC on January 6th. In the Tweet, he told his followers that the events would be "wild." 

President Trump was in the drivers seat on January 6th

Vice Chair, Liz Cheney, opened her remarks by highlighitng the shift in the narritive about the events of January 6th. After the committee has shown, the majority of people around the presidnet, told him that he was wrong to push the false story that the election was stolen. Now, many defenders of the president are saying that there were a few "crazies" in his adminstration that misled him. 

Rep. Cheney rejects this view saying that he is a 76 year old man, who is fully capacble of telling fact from fiction.

Opening statement from Chairmen Thompson

"We settle our differences at the ballot box," said Thompson to begin the seventh hearing. 

Describing the peaceful transition of power, Chairmen Thompson explained the tools at the disposal of the public when their "side" loses and election. Violence is not in the toolbox. 

Thompson, recalled the events of 14 December, where electors for the electoral college voted to confirm President Biden's victory in the 2020 election. However, Donald Trump refused to accept this result and "urged them,' his supports, "on"

Today the committee will discuss how Donald Trump "summoned a mob to DC" and Representatives Murphy and Raskin will provide the questioning. 

Chairmen Benny Thompson will begin the hearing with an opening statement, followed by remarks from the Vice-Chair Liz Cheney. 

Committee members entering the hearing room... 

Rep. Raskin provided an overview of what we will hear on Face the Nation this weekend

"Doors were closing on him," said Rep. Raskin, describing the various efforts taken by then-president Donald Trump began to fail. After he was unable to put enough pressure on state election officials, members of Congress, and other GOP party leaders, he looked to January 6th. 

Essentially, the committee will argue that when up against a wall, Donald Trump, did not accept his defeat to Joe Biden. Instead, he sent a mob to the Capitol to intimidate law makers.

What the committee has not focused on and what some outlets have raised questions about is how much of what was planned was known about by federal law enforcement. It has become clear that some of the leaders of extremist organizations were already working with the FBI, meaning that the agency, had some knowledge of what was going to take place, yet police at the scene were completely unable to stop the masses of rioters. 

LATEST NEWS

What can we expect from the next January 6 public hearings?

The next public hearing of the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on Congress will take place on Tuesday, 12 July. This hearing will focus on the composition of the violent mob who ransacked the Capitol and caused the deaths of five people, with particular focus on the far-right extremist groups thought to have helped coordinate the attack. Read more from Will Gittins in our full coverage. 

What can we expect to learn during today's hearing?

"You will hear how President Trump summoned a violent mob and directed them, illegally, to march on the U.S. Capitol. While the violence was underway, President Trump failed to take immediate action to stop the violence and instruct his supporters to leave the Capitol. 

Representative Raskin will take the lead during today's hearing

Unlike other Congressional hearings which move between members of different parties, those for the Select House Committee on January 6th, are led by one or maybe two representatives. This allows the public to receive a clear and cohesive narrative, rather than a jumbled mess. The members of the committee know that they have to ensure the public gain information from the hearings and has found that having one person lead the questions provides the most compelling format. 

Rep. Raskin, will lead the questioning for today's hearing which will focus on the role of extremist groups in the attack on the Capitol. 

Hello and welcome to our live blog covering the seventh hearing for the House Select Committee on January 6th. 

The hearing will begin at 1:00 ET from Capitol Hill, the site of the attack. 

After the testimony of White House aid Cassidy Hutchinson during the fifth hearing, other officials have come forward. Hutchinson, 25, was an a top aid to Mark Meadows and the information she relayed to the committee were shocking and deeply concerning.  

Many are speculating that we may hear from White House Counsel Pat Cipollone during today’s main event as well as from former-members of the Oath Keepers. 

Additionally some believe that if Steve Bannon does not speak at this hearing, he may testify publicly at the next one. Bannon has deep ties to extremist organizations and is expected to comply with Congress.