(Dmytro “Henry” Aleksandrov, Headline USA) After its televised primetime spectacular failed to dazzle audiences, House Democrats’ partisan Jan. 6 Committee is beginning to show holes in its unified anti-Trump front.
On Monday Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the J6 Committee, announced that it would not be making criminal referrals to the Justice Department, according to the Gateway Pundit.
“If the Department of Justice looks at it and assumes that there’s something that needs further review, I’m sure they’ll do it,” Thompson said when he was approached by reporters.
Thompson noted correctly that the job of the legislative branch was not to adjudicate legal issues but to make the laws.
“Our job is to look at the facts and circumstances around January 6, what caused it and make recommendations after that,” he said.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., backed up Thompson’s statement.
“They’re the prosecutors, not the legislative branch,” she said.
Thompson also said that the committee will “make that call” when they finish their work and share it with the Department of Justice, according to a tweet by CNN correspondent Manu Raju.
“Well, I prefer that we complete our work and share that work with the Department of Justice, and they will make that call after that,” he said.
Bennie Thompson on whether he believes Trump should be prosecuted based on the evidence Jan. 6 committee has uncovered. "Well, I prefer that we complete our work and share that work with the Department of Justice, and they will make that call after that." pic.twitter.com/1zgDCZt6SQ
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 13, 2022
But not all committee members were on board with Thompson’s declaration.
Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, one of only two non-Democrats hand-picked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the panel, issued a tweet refuting his statement.
“The January 6th Select Committee has not issued a conclusion regarding potential criminal referrals,” she said. “We will announce a decision on that at an appropriate time.”
The January 6th Select Committee has not issued a conclusion regarding potential criminal referrals. We will announce a decision on that at an appropriate time.
— Rep. Liz Cheney (@RepLizCheney) June 14, 2022
While Democrats hope to milk the Jan. 6 uprising to peddle claims of a white nationalist threat to democracy, Cheney stands to lose the most from its failure.
The one-time Trump ally, who parted ways with him for being too weak with Iran, has accused Trump backers—including many of her own constituents—of being dishonorable.
In response to her betrayal, the House GOP caucus booted her from a leadership role and the Wyoming state Republicans formally censured her.
Cheney now faces a tough primary match against Trump-endorsed candidate Harriet Hageman on Aug. 16.
John Bresnahan, the spokesperson of the January 6 Committee, quickly sought to smooth over the perceived tensions with a series of tweets clarifying that no decisions had yet been made.
“Our investigation is ongoing and we will continue to gather all relevant information as we present facts, offer recommendations and, if warranted, make criminal referrals.”
/3 Spokesperson: “Our investigation is ongoing and we will continue to gather all relevant information as we present facts, offer recommendations and, if warranted, make criminal referrals.”
— John Bresnahan (@bresreports) June 14, 2022
