House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., threatened to take action against telecommunications companies that comply with the Democrats’ Jan. 6 commission and its attempt to surveil Republicans’ communications.
The Democratic-controlled House Select Committee on Jan. 6 reportedly asked several companies to preserve the records of Republican lawmakers who attended the “Stop the Steal” rally ahead of the US Capitol breach—just in case Democrats decided to subpoena them.
Democrats specifically requested the records of outspoken GOP Trump-backers, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Paul Gosar of Arizona and Mo Brooks of Alabama.
McCarthy accused the Democrats of using the Jan. 6 committee to create a “surveillance state” within Congress to spy on members of the opposite political party.
“Adam Schiff, [Select Committee Chairman] Bennie Thompson, and Nancy Pelosi’s attempts to strong-arm private companies to turn over individuals’ private data would put every American with a phone or computer in the crosshairs of a surveillance state run by Democrat politicians,” McCarthy said in a statement.
“If these companies comply with the Democrat order to turn over private information, they are in violation of federal law and subject to losing their ability to operate in the United States,” he continued. “If they pursue this path, a Republican majority will not forget and will be ready to hold them fully accountable under the law.”
The Jan. 6 committee responded to McCarthy and admitted that it did ask telecommunications companies “not to destroy records that may help answer questions for the American people.”
The committee’s efforts won’t be deterred by those who want to whitewash or cover up the events of January 6th, or obstruct our investigation. 2/2 https://t.co/lvPcUMrqYZ
— January 6th Committee (@January6thCmte) September 1, 2021
