NationBuilder

I've got a new badge of honor: The Republican National Committee just distinguished myself and Liz Cheney with censure, which is the first step toward ultimately expelling us from the party for aggressively seeking the truth on the January 6th Committee.

Why? Because they're terrified. Terrified of the truth; terrified of Trump; terrified of the base they've radicalized; and terrified of you and me.

That's the only explanation for censuring two people whose only "crime" is putting Country over Party and the Truth over Trump. They claim we're trying to sabotage the GOP and its chances for success in 2022 because we stand up to the BIG LIE that the election was stolen and that the January 6th attacks were "legitimate political discourse." Yeah, that's what the RNC called it.

It's actually sad that this isn't more shocking, and we must ensure we never become numb to tactics fit for an authoritarian regime rather than the greatest democracy the world has ever known. This is why we're left with NO CHOICE but to take-on and take-out these toxic leaders -- before they can create one!

And that's where our PRIMARY 1ST plan comes in, which is a bold, original strategy to mobilize disaffected Republicans, Independents, and Democrats to vote in Republican primaries to defeat the extreme Trump-First candidates seeking to dominate institutions key to maintaining democracy in America, from local election officials to the U.S. Congress. You can learn all about our thrilling strategy here:

PRIMARY 1ST STRATEGY

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. And that's why we're so excited to do something unexpected, and have a real chance to shift the center of gravity and improve the odds that we can elect more Country First candidates to replace poisonous partisans.

But none of us can do it alone, and that's why I'm calling on every member of this movement to find a way to invest however you can in our country's future. Would you please consider:

>> Getting involved as a volunteer?

>> Spreading the word to your friends, family, and any other likeminded person?

>> Giving a gift to fund the mission?

Whether you can do one thing or all of the things, our collective actions add up to making a huge difference. And armed with our primary election strategy, we've got even more important work to do. I know I'm ready -- and I hope you're with me!

Thanks, as always, for everything you do to bring this movement to life. I couldn't do this without people like you, and I wouldn't want to.

Country First,

Adam

PS: We just released a new episode of our podcast Country First Conversations, in which I sit down with theologian and pastor Dr. Russell Moore to discuss false prophets and politics. If you like podcasts, check it out!

Stand with Country First

1/6 Committee Weekly Digest

Country First presents the next edition of The Weekly Digest to highlight the important work of the January 6th Select Committee. Each week that the committee makes news, we’ll provide a recap to make sure you’re up to date.

In Case You Missed It:

Republican National Committee censures Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Rep. Liz Cheney for participation on 1/6 Committee and calls events of 1/6 "legitimate political discourse."
Rep. Kinzinger reacts on social media to claims made by Ted Cruz that Ray Epps was working in concert with the FBI on January 6th.
Following former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s appearance on Fox News Channel, Rep. Kinzinger and Rep. Cheney denounced the idea that a new, Republican-based congress could prosecute members of the 1/6 committee.

New Requests for Information from 1/6 Committee:

Ivanka Trump, daughter of former President Trump
Subpoena issued for Nicholas J. Fuentes and Patrick Casey, leaders of “America First”
Subpoena issued for Rudolph (Rudy) Gulliani, Trump lawyer
Subpoena issued for Jenna Ellis, Trump lawyer
Subpoena issued for Sidney Powell, Trump lawyer
Subpoena issued for Boris Epshteyn, strategic advisor for the Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign

Here are the major developments from this past week:

Former Vice President Mike Pence’s Records to be Turned Over by the National Archives

Several of former Vice President Mike Pence’s top aides have already appeared before the 1/6 Committee to give testimony regarding the events that unfolded on and before January 6th. The top aides, including Pence's former chief of staff Marc Short, counsel Greg Jacob, and Pence's former national security adviser Keith Kellogg have shed light on the days and hours leading up to the deadly insurrection. The 1/6 committee wants more.

In a letter posted on its website, the National Archives revealed it will be producing the former Vice President’s official records to the 1/6 Committee. This comes after an order from the White House for these records to be released. These records will be sent over no later than March 3 to the committee.

The 1/6 committee has received over 60,000 pages of records and interviewed more than 470 witnesses.

1/6 Committee Subpoenas 14 "Alternate Electors" from 7 States

On Friday, the 1/6 committee issued subpoenas for 14 "alternate electors" from the seven states the former President claimed had sufficient voter fraud that kept him from winning. GOP leaders from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania served as "alternates" in case GOP members of Congress were successful in their attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

"The Select Committee is seeking information about attempts in multiple states to overturn the results of the 2020 election, including the planning and coordination of efforts to send false slates of electors to the National Archives" said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss) of this batch of subpoenas. "We believe the individuals we have subpoenaed today have information about how these so-called alternate electors met and who was behind that scheme."

In the subpoena letters, the 1/6 committee says the witnesses have fake elector certificates in their possession.

Supreme Court Grants Access to Final Tranche of Requested Trump Administration Records to 1/6 Committee

Following months of contentious litigation, the 1/6 Committee is now in possession of more than 750 documents from the Trump administration that the former president attempted to keep sealed. The document production comes after the U.S. District Court and Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the committee’s rights to the information, citing that it is in the best interest of the American public for the information to be shared with investigators. Trump appealed the Circuit Court decision to the Supreme Court, where in an 8-1 ruling (with only Associate Justice Clarence Thomas dissenting), a majority declined to hear the case and thereby granting the committee access to the documents.

The records were transferred to the committee from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) on Thursday evening in compliance with the request of investigators and court orders.

Though the specific contents of the documents remain in the hands of investigators, sources familiar with the investigation have cited presidential diary entries, visitor logs, drafts of speeches, and the handwritten notes of former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows as among the materials.

1/6 Committee is Looking into Former President’s Plan to Seize Voting Machines

On February 1st, the New York Times reported the 1/6 committee is investigating the former President’s plan to seize voting machines in several key states and use federal funds for election litigation.

The 1/6 Committee obtained an unsent memo drafted by close aides to President Trump directing the Pentagon to seize voting machines across the country.

Founder of Oath Keepers and nine other members plead not-guilty to 1/6 Sedition Charges

Stewart Rhodes, founder of the extremist group Oath Keepers, and nine other alleged co-conspirators pleaded not guilty to seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob. Rhodes and those charged with him are accused of plotting violence to prevent the confirmation of Joe Biden’s election victory.

A 48-page indictment alleges that the charged defendants plotted “multiple ways to deploy force” to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power. Specifically, to organize into teams, undergo paramilitary training, coordinate travel, assemble and stage weapons, and don combat and tactical gear.

Mr. Rhodes was denied bail. Citing flight risk, the Judge listed his "elaborate escape tunnels” and a stash of unregistered cars on his property.

Mr. Rhodes appeared via Zoom in front of the 1/6 committee on February 2nd where he gave nearly six hours of testimony. Both he and his lawyer pleaded the fifth for much of the interview but did give some answers.

Memos Show Roots of Trump’s Focus on 1/6 and Alternate Electors

A memo sent out on November 18, 2021 has given the 1/6 Committee insight into the former president’s focus on maintaining power. In newly released memos, we see the former president and his team begin to create a strategy to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to decertify the election results on January 6th.

Other news that may be of interest:

Conspiracy Theorist and Podcast Host Alex Jones tells listeners he pleaded the Fifth over 100 times during questioning by the 1/6 Committee.
Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany turned over text messages to the 1/6 Committee.
Republican Attorney General fires lawyer that is working for the 1/6 Committee from state post.
Former DOJ official Jeffery Clark pleaded the fifth more than 100 times in 1/6 interview.
Newly reported videos of Stop the Steal rally organizer Ali Alexander offer footage of the social media personality suggesting a willingness to work with the far-right extremist groups the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers to provide security for the event.
Members of the 1/6 committee respond to Newt Gingrich’s threat of criminal prosecution.

Country First is proud to release The Weekly Digest with important updates on the 1/6 Committee's investigation of the Capitol attack. If you would like to help contribute content to this newsletter, please e-mail [email protected].