This is the most accurate summary of the hearing I've read or heard, including NPR's and the BBC's. The NY Times online link to the session was not at the top of the screen, but was nearly at the bottom -for shame. It was a riveting session that all Americans needed to watch, including the traitorous, complicit, and cowardly Congressional Republicans.
Robert, How do you make time to keep up with all your news and opinion sources, write and proof your column, and read and respond to comments and emails? Plus spend time w/ wife and family, sleep, and eat? This is more than a fulltime job - and so THANK YOU for doing this!
Wonderful summary of the first day of the hearings. I have not felt this confident since the Watergate hearings, although this is a totally different situation. The officers’ testimony was amazing. Thank you for keeping us focussed.
Great piece as usual. Might be enlightening to list all the Trump-backed candidates who have lost vs those who have won. Curious how far below 1000 his batting average is, especially in competitive districts.
I will check. The key is that the race was between two Republicans with no incumbent. If Trump can't influence the outcome in that race, what is the likelihood that he can affect the outcome (positively) in a contested race?
Whose decision was it to remove the fence and protective barriers at the Capitol? It was clear yesterday the the Capitol police feel more exposed and also feel that nothing systemic in response capability has changed since January 6. I think the greatest urgency is to delineate the chain of command and response strategy in case of a repeat insurrection.
Nancy--I believe that there are committees in the House and Senate that oversee the Capitol Police. I believe the judgment to remove the fences was made by the Capitol Police and approved by those committees. I agree with you that the issue of command failures is among the most urgent questions to be answered. Why? Although this is speculation on my part, I believe that the Acting Secretary of Defense, NSA, and Homeland Security all agreed to "stand down" on January 6th, and reversed course only when events spiraled out of control. So, who had authority to order the Department of Defense, NSA, and Homeland Security to stand down? The answer is obvious. And if the Committee obtains the evidence that Liz Cheney wants-"every phone call, every meeting, every conversation--I suspect that we will see Trump's hand behind the insurrection.
Robert, as you point out, the actions taken by the DOJ, refusing to defend either Trump Administration officials’ claims for executive privilege or the Westfall Act are significant. I think the following quote from the Brook’s court filing is the most important sign that Merrick Garland and the DOJ will let the chips fall where they will and that Trump and his hord are not out of the woods:
“Inciting or conspiring to foment a violent attack on the United States Congress is not within the scope of employment of a representative — or any federal employee — and thus is not the sort of conduct for which the United States is properly substituted as a defendant under the Westfall Act.”
My guess is that Garland and the DOJ will let the Select Committee do their work, which can be deemed bipartisan, and then follow up with further investigation and indictments. It will take time but it will also eliminate any contention that the DOJ is being used as a political tool.
Hi, Andrew. Thanks for quoting the brief filed by the DOJ, which I did not have time to read last evening. I will review today and clarify as appropriate. The commentary I cited yesterday said that the distinction drawn by the DOJ was campaigning vs. legislative activity. I admire your hopeful outlook on the DOJ's strategy, but it seems backwards to me. The DOJ is charged with investigating crimes; Congress is not. So if the DOJ has decided to trail Congress, that is a political decision. It will also delay they day of reckoning until Trump is actively engaged in campaigning for president. Nothing will seem more political than an indictment of a candidate.
Thank you, Robert Hubbell. I was riveted to the hearings yesterday and have left
messages at both Senator Cruz and Senator Cornyn's offices in support of the Capitol police officers we heard from yesterday, at the same time denouncing Trump's continues Big Lie and the members of Congress who continue to support it.
Such a pleasure to read a newsletter dominated by positives. Not meant as a criticism of the author--you do an amazing job. I'm just so hungry for positive news stories.
Jordan, thanks for your comment. If you do not already subscribe to Susan Buell's newsletter The UpRising, I highly recommend it. Her newsletter focuses on all of the positive steps being taken by the Biden administration. It is also filled with detailed information about the status of bills in Congress.
I was only able to hear fragments of yesterday's hearing, but they were powerful. I was particularly struck by Sgt. Gonnell's note that Donald Trump said that the mob brought hugs and kisses and that, "I'm stil recovering from those hugs and kisses." Said it all.
And apparently, Gym Jordan will get to appear at one of the hearings, at least. Yesterday, he admitted that he spoke to Trump by telephone on January 6th, so he'll probably be called as a witness. (As a witness, any sane system would bar him from membership on the committee in any event.)
Yes, it is curious how Jim Jordan has tried to avoid admitting that he spoke to Trump on January 6th. Why? I suspect that Trump told him to continue objecting to the count of the Electoral ballots even after the assault--which is what Jordan and others did.
This is the most accurate summary of the hearing I've read or heard, including NPR's and the BBC's. The NY Times online link to the session was not at the top of the screen, but was nearly at the bottom -for shame. It was a riveting session that all Americans needed to watch, including the traitorous, complicit, and cowardly Congressional Republicans.
Thanks, Laurie. I appreciate your comment.
Robert, How do you make time to keep up with all your news and opinion sources, write and proof your column, and read and respond to comments and emails? Plus spend time w/ wife and family, sleep, and eat? This is more than a fulltime job - and so THANK YOU for doing this!
Sleep deprivation, readers who send suggestions and links for stories, and an incredibly supportive wife!
Wonderful summary of the first day of the hearings. I have not felt this confident since the Watergate hearings, although this is a totally different situation. The officers’ testimony was amazing. Thank you for keeping us focussed.
Great piece as usual. Might be enlightening to list all the Trump-backed candidates who have lost vs those who have won. Curious how far below 1000 his batting average is, especially in competitive districts.
I will check. The key is that the race was between two Republicans with no incumbent. If Trump can't influence the outcome in that race, what is the likelihood that he can affect the outcome (positively) in a contested race?
Good point.
Whose decision was it to remove the fence and protective barriers at the Capitol? It was clear yesterday the the Capitol police feel more exposed and also feel that nothing systemic in response capability has changed since January 6. I think the greatest urgency is to delineate the chain of command and response strategy in case of a repeat insurrection.
Nancy--I believe that there are committees in the House and Senate that oversee the Capitol Police. I believe the judgment to remove the fences was made by the Capitol Police and approved by those committees. I agree with you that the issue of command failures is among the most urgent questions to be answered. Why? Although this is speculation on my part, I believe that the Acting Secretary of Defense, NSA, and Homeland Security all agreed to "stand down" on January 6th, and reversed course only when events spiraled out of control. So, who had authority to order the Department of Defense, NSA, and Homeland Security to stand down? The answer is obvious. And if the Committee obtains the evidence that Liz Cheney wants-"every phone call, every meeting, every conversation--I suspect that we will see Trump's hand behind the insurrection.
Robert, as you point out, the actions taken by the DOJ, refusing to defend either Trump Administration officials’ claims for executive privilege or the Westfall Act are significant. I think the following quote from the Brook’s court filing is the most important sign that Merrick Garland and the DOJ will let the chips fall where they will and that Trump and his hord are not out of the woods:
“Inciting or conspiring to foment a violent attack on the United States Congress is not within the scope of employment of a representative — or any federal employee — and thus is not the sort of conduct for which the United States is properly substituted as a defendant under the Westfall Act.”
My guess is that Garland and the DOJ will let the Select Committee do their work, which can be deemed bipartisan, and then follow up with further investigation and indictments. It will take time but it will also eliminate any contention that the DOJ is being used as a political tool.
Hi, Andrew. Thanks for quoting the brief filed by the DOJ, which I did not have time to read last evening. I will review today and clarify as appropriate. The commentary I cited yesterday said that the distinction drawn by the DOJ was campaigning vs. legislative activity. I admire your hopeful outlook on the DOJ's strategy, but it seems backwards to me. The DOJ is charged with investigating crimes; Congress is not. So if the DOJ has decided to trail Congress, that is a political decision. It will also delay they day of reckoning until Trump is actively engaged in campaigning for president. Nothing will seem more political than an indictment of a candidate.
A very good point, Robert. What you say is true. So, I guess we'll have to wait and see how works out (which we have to anyway!).
Thank you, Robert Hubbell. I was riveted to the hearings yesterday and have left
messages at both Senator Cruz and Senator Cornyn's offices in support of the Capitol police officers we heard from yesterday, at the same time denouncing Trump's continues Big Lie and the members of Congress who continue to support it.
Betty--thanks so much for sharing your activism! I hope that others follow your example!
Thank you for providing your readers inspiration.
Such a pleasure to read a newsletter dominated by positives. Not meant as a criticism of the author--you do an amazing job. I'm just so hungry for positive news stories.
Jordan, thanks for your comment. If you do not already subscribe to Susan Buell's newsletter The UpRising, I highly recommend it. Her newsletter focuses on all of the positive steps being taken by the Biden administration. It is also filled with detailed information about the status of bills in Congress.
I was only able to hear fragments of yesterday's hearing, but they were powerful. I was particularly struck by Sgt. Gonnell's note that Donald Trump said that the mob brought hugs and kisses and that, "I'm stil recovering from those hugs and kisses." Said it all.
And apparently, Gym Jordan will get to appear at one of the hearings, at least. Yesterday, he admitted that he spoke to Trump by telephone on January 6th, so he'll probably be called as a witness. (As a witness, any sane system would bar him from membership on the committee in any event.)
Yes, it is curious how Jim Jordan has tried to avoid admitting that he spoke to Trump on January 6th. Why? I suspect that Trump told him to continue objecting to the count of the Electoral ballots even after the assault--which is what Jordan and others did.
Amen! 🙏