Politics

Jan. 6 Committee Meets with Pompeo, Mastriano

AUG 9 2022·Updated AUG 10 2022

#Politics

Jan. 6 Committee Meets with Pompeo, Mastriano

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Image credit: AP [via CNN]

The Facts

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots met with former Trump-era Sec. of State Mike Pompeo and Trump-endorsed Pa. GOP gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano on Tuesday.
PBS NewsHour
Mastriano, a GOP Pa. state senator who was present outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, was allegedly involved in a plan for his state to submit fake or "alternate" electors to change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
CNN
Mastriano didn't answer any questions during his virtual session with the committee and ended the interview after 15 minutes. His legal counsel reportedly expressed concern over procedural matters regarding the deposition, as well as the legality of the subpoena from the committee.
CNN
The committee and federal investigators alike are questioning many Republican officials in several states about an alleged plot by the Trump admin. to submit slates of "fake electors" to stop the historically routine act of certifying the presidential election results after Biden won.
Time
Pompeo, believed to be the highest-ranking Cabinet member to testify to the committee so far, was interviewed for "quite some time," according to committee member Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.).
Restoring America
Pompeo's testimony reportedly centered around concerns that Trump officials had about his actions related to Jan. 6 and about potential discussions among cabinet members about invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows for the removal of a sitting president.
Restoring America

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The Spin

Democratic narrative

The committee's investigation is gaining momentum and accumulating testimony from the highest echelons of Trump's administration. It's leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of information about both the lead-up to the riots and machinations to prevent the certification of the vote results.

AlterNet

Pro-Trump narrative

This unlawful committee is attempting to violate Mastriano's fundamental constitutional rights, including his rights to free speech and public assembly, as well as his right to record the panel's interrogation to prevent it from using his words out of context as a political weapon. The committee continues to be just a tool to demonize Trump and his supporters.

The Federalist