January 6 panel: ‘We have made decisions on criminal referrals’
Another major piece of outstanding business House Democrats must wrap up before the end of the year: the January 6 committee.
The bipartisan panel looking into the attack on the Capitol is expected to make criminal referrals to the justice department based on the results of its investigation, and Axios reports chair Bennie Thompson said lawmakers know who they intend to name:
Jan. 6 Committee Chair Bennie Thompson to reporters: “We have made decisions on criminal referrals.”
Doesn’t offer any more details.
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) December 6, 2022
The panel’s authorization expires at the end of the year, and it’s almost certain the incoming Republican House majority won’t reinstate it. The biggest name the January 6 committee could refer for charges is, of course, Donald Trump.
The Guardian’s politics live blog is now in the hands of Gloria Oladipo, who will keep you informed on the latest news throughout the day.
Key events
McConnell criticized Donald Trump today about Trump’s previous calls to terminate the constitution.
Without mentioning Trump’s name, McConnell said that Trump would likely have a harder time winning the presidency for a second time.
From Politico:
Anyone seeking the presidency who thinks that the Constitution could somehow be suspended or not followed, it seems to me would have a very hard time being sworn in as the president of the United States.
McConnell would not directly answer questions if he would support Trump as the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
Other Republicans have attempted to distance themselves from Trump following Trump’s comments about the constitution, Politico reported.
A former West Virginian politician that went to prison over his role in the Jan 6 attacks announced that he is running for Congress, reported Politico.
Derrick Evans announced his run for Congress on Tuesday:
After months of soul-searching, I am ready to step back into the political arena. Right now, my eyes are on Capitol Hill.
More from Politico:
A source familiar with the bid said Evans would explore running in the district currently held by Rep. Carol Miller (R-W.Va.). The state’s other House seat is open, as Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) mounts a Senate bid against Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), but Miller has no plans for a similar bid.
Read the full article here.
Here’s video of McConnell answering questions as to why representatives of Capitol police would not shake his hand during the ceremony:
Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) dodges a question then walks away after being asked about Capitol police officers and their families refusing to shake his hand at a ceremony honoring them: “I’d respond by saying today we gave the gold medal to the heroes of Jan. 6.” pic.twitter.com/X2FEqmwlZP
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) December 6, 2022
The Justice Department special counsel has issued its first known subpoenas in an investigation into Trump documents and Jan 6.
More from the Associated Press:
Special counsel Jack Smith has subpoenaed officials in Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona, asking for communications with or involving former President Donald Trump, his campaign aides and a list of allies involved in his efforts to try to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
The requests, issued to Milwaukee and Dane counties in Wisconsin; Wayne County, Michigan; and Maricopa County, Arizona, are the first known subpoenas by Smith, who was named special counsel last month by Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Smith is overseeing the Justice Department’s investigation into the presence of classified documents at Trump’s Florida estate as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the violent storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and Trump’s frantic efforts to remain in power.
The subpoenas, first reported by The Washington Post, are the clearest indication yet that Smith’s work will include an examination of the fake electors that were part of Trump’s efforts to subvert the election count and certification.
Read the full article here.
More on the Congressional gold medal ceremony for officers who defended the Capitol during the Jan 6 attack.
Video from the ceremony shows representatives for those receiving the award shaking hands with Senator majority leader Chuck Schumer, but walking past Republicans Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy.
From C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman:
During Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for Jan. 6 police, representatives of those receiving awards shake hands with Schumer then walk past McConnell and McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/YGjKXRGtiZ
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) December 6, 2022
Mike Fanone, a former police officer who was attacked by rioters during the Jan 6 attack, says he was heckled during the Congressional gold medal ceremony today.
From NBC News:
NEW: Members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Operations Division heckled former Officer Mike Fanone at the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony, Fanone tells me.
“They called me a piece of shit and mockingly called me a great fucking hero while clapping,” he said.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 6, 2022
Fanone says they called him a disgrace, said he was not a cop anymore, and said he didn’t belong at the ceremony. It happened in the rotunda, he said.
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 6, 2022
Jean-Pierre was asked about any last-minute efforts for Biden to boost Warnock ahead of Georgia’s runoff election today.
Jean-Pierre said she had to respond carefully given the Hatch Act, which limits political activity some civil service members can participate in.
But Jean-Pierre pointed to phone banking Biden did for Warnock last week in Boston, where Biden raised money on Warnock’s behalf.
Jean-Pierre said: “He’s always said he’s willing to do whatever it takes, whatever Senator Warnock needs, for him to be helpful.”
Here are comments from Jean-Pierre from yesterday about Republicans criticism of Biden when it comes to the US-Mexico border .
From the Guardian’s David Smith:
Jean-Pierre on border: “What are congressional Republicans going to do to actually deal with this issue?.. Why don’t they work with us? Why don’t they actually do something?… They’re playing political games and doing political stunts.”
— David Smith (@SmithInAmerica) December 5, 2022
Joe Biden is now on his way to Arizona, where he will visit a semiconductor facility.
A gaggle is now taking place on Air Force One, led by press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Listen here.
Biden is facing pushback from Republicans for his decision not to visit the US-Mexico border during this trip, with Biden telling a reporter from Fox News that “there are more important things going on.”
NEW: President Biden says he’ll be going to Arizona but tells our @pdoocy he won’t visit the border because “there are more important things going on…they’re going to invest billions of dollars in a new enterprise,” referring to a CHIPS plant he’ll be visiting in AZ. @FoxNews
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) December 6, 2022
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has renominated his leadership team, including a new position for Hawaii senator Brian Schatz to the newly created deputy conference secretary position, reported Politico.
From Politico:
According to text of the letter, Schumer will nominate:
– Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) for Democratic whip
– Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) for chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee
– Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) for chair of the Steering Committee
– Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) for vice chair of the conference
– Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) for vice chair of the conference
– Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for chair of outreach
– Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) for vice chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee
– Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) for Senate Democratic Conference secretary
– Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) for vice chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee
– Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) for vice chair of outreach
– Schatz for deputy Democratic Conference secretary
More on McCarthy’s remarks at the Congressional gold medal ceremony.
From the Associated Press’ Farnoush Amiri:
GOP Leader McConnell taking more poignant approach to honoring Jan. 6 officers than McCarthy: “When an unhinged mob tried to come between the Congress and our constitutional duty, the Capitol Police fought to defend not just this institution, but our system of self government.”
— Farnoush Amiri (@FarnoushAmiri) December 6, 2022