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:

• Rep. Kinzinger speaks at "Principles First" Summit about January 6th and leading with courage. 
• Rep. Kinzinger joins CBS to discuss Rudy Giuliani and give a committee update.
• Rep. Kinzinger appears on NBC's "Meet the Press" to reiterate the "substantive narrative" the 1/6 committee is putting together.

Who the January 6th Committee Has Requested Information From:

• Subpoena issued to Cleta Mitchell, an attorney who was regularly in contact with Members of Congress to promote the Big Lie.
• Subpoena issued to Kenneth Chesebro, an attorney who peddled legal theories to state officials, including key swing state officials.
• Subpoena issued to Katherine Friess, an attorney involved in the efforts to overturn the election via seizure of voting machines.
• Subpoena issued to Kurt Olsen, a lawyer who helped draft an executive order for the DOJ.
• Subpoena issued to Phillip Kline, who helped convene a meeting with Trump and 300 state legislators to urge former Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election. 
• Subpoena issued to Christina Bobb, an OAN correspondent who was believed to have been a part of the "war room" at the Willard Hotel on January 6. 
• Subpoena issued for Kimberly Guilfoyle, a top fundraising official for the Trump campaign and fiancée to Donald Trump Jr.

Here are the major developments from this past week:

Evidence Obtained by 1/6 Committee Suggests Trump Committed Crimes While Trying to Overturn 2020 Election Results

In a new court filing, the House select committee responsible for investigating the Capitol riot suggested that Trump’s efforts during the 2020 election violated the law, and included the crimes obstruction and fraud. This court filing does not charge the former president with any crime, the DOJ would have to indict. 

Reps. Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson released a joint statement that disclosed, "The facts we’ve gathered strongly suggest that Dr. Eastman’s emails may show that he helped Donald Trump advance a corrupt scheme to obstruct the counting of electoral college ballots and a conspiracy to impede the transfer of power."

The filing made on Wednesday, March 2 indicates that former President Trump and his allies engaged in a series of criminal activities that led to the attempt to overturn the election and incite an insurrection. 

John Eastman is a former law professor and Trump legal advisor who has refused to cooperate with the panel’s ongoing investigation and he continues to make numerous claims of privilege.

House Select Committee to Release Interim Report by June

Congressman Bennie Thompson, 1/6 Committee chair, spoke with reporters earlier in the week and announced some key benchmark dates coming in the next few months. The goal of investigators is to complete witness depositions in early April, followed by public hearings and then an interim report sometime in June 2022.

This comes after weeks of testimony from key players in the insurrection, including Patrick Casey, the leader of "America First", a far-right organization that played a major role in pushing the Big Lie and promoting the 1/6 rally in front of the White House. 

However, if investigators uncover new information or want testimony and records from additional witnesses, the timeline the committee has established could be pushed back.

Oath Keeper Member, Joshua James, Pleads Guilty to Seditious Conspiracy Charges

Joshua James, a member of the Oath Keepers, pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy charges on Wednesday, March 2. The far-right militia group claims they were responsible for much of the "protecting" of the former president and his allies on January 6. These charges were the most serious charges pressed against those who took part in the attempt to overthrow the election results and undermine democracy. 

In his statement, James said that Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the extremist group, "instructed [him] and others to be prepared and called upon to … use lethal force if necessary" to keep the former president in power. Armed with tactical vets, goggles, and more, the far-right group breached the Capitol of the United States of America. 

James did not make any statements in court other than answering the judge’s questions. A former soldier, James gave up his rights to military benefits as a result of his involvement. 

Trump Spokesperson Speaks to 1/6 Committee

The former Trump White House deputy press secretary spoke with the 1/6 Committee on Thursday, March 3. In compliance with a subpoena, Judd Deere, who is now the deputy chief of staff for communications for Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), spoke with the 1/6 Committee as it works to understand the "White House’s response to the January 6 attack as it occurred," according to CNN. 

Deere, who was reportedly in the presence of Trump on January 6, was subpoenaed to answer questions surrounding the communications with Trump White House figures that were requested by the panel from the National Archives. 

Son of Capitol Rioter Testifies Against Father in 1/6 Insurrection Case 

Jackson Reffitt, the son of riot defendant Guy Reffitt, testified in front of the jury for more than 3 hours on Thursday. Jackson, 19, has become a key witness for prosecutors after alerting the FBI to his father’s far-right extremist tendencies on December 24, 2020, mere weeks before the insurrection. 

His father, Guy Reffitt, has been accused of taking part in the insurrection that left five dead and hundreds injured, and that he carried a weapon. Afterwards, he is accused of threatening his children if they did not stay silent about his involvement. Jackson recorded his father’s texts, calls, and conversations in order to turn them over to the FBI because of his concern that his father had been radicalized. 

"I don’t regret it, but it’s a lot. I don’t have the words to really describe it. I think it’s the best-case scenario," Jackson Reffitt said at the conclusion of his testimony.

Other news that may be of interest:

• GOP Chairman in Georgia claims the Trump campaign orchestrated the alternate elector scheme. 
• Daughter of former president, Ivanka Trump, in talks to cooperate with the 1/6 committee. 
• The first 1/6 insurrection trials begin in Texas.
• Man who smoked marijuana in the Capitol Rotunda was sentenced to two years probation. 
• Rioter who carried Speaker Pelosi’s podium has been fined $5,000 and sentenced to 75 days in prison.