Republican Congressman Jim Jordan is refusing to cooperate with the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 2021 Capitol attack, making him the second sitting congressman to refuse.
Ohio Republican Jordan, a close confidante and ally of former President Donald Trump, said Sunday that he would not be cooperating with the investigation. The panel asked Jordan to disclose conversations that he had with Trump on the day of the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters, who stormed the building to attempt to stop Congress from formally certifying the presidential election victory of Joe Biden.
Jordan’s extensive contact with Trump both before and on January 6 has been documented and publicly laid out.
During Trump’s two impeachment trials, Jordan was one of his staunchest defenders. One of the trials was specifically about Trump inciting the Jan. 6 attack. Jordan also has been a supporter of Trump’s false claims about election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Jordan participated in several activities that perpetuated the myth that Trump’s 2020 election loss was rigged. Before the election, Jordan was vocal about “Democrats trying to steal the election,” and even spoke at a “Stop the Steal” rally only two days before the election.
In the run-up to the Capitol attack, Jordan participated in calls organized by Trump allies to “address goals of overturning certain states” of the electoral college results. On Jan. 6, he even gave a speech in the House chamber objecting to accepting the presidential electors certified by Arizona, calling for the Arizona electors to be disqualified.
In a letter to the House select committee chairman Bennie Thompson, Jordan claimed that the request is “far outside the bounds of any legitimate inquiry,” and that it violates constitutional principles and would erode legislative norms.
Republican Scott Perry of Pennsylvania also refused to cooperate with the inquiry.
Other Trump allies have also refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon has pleaded not guilty to criminal contempt of Congress, which he has been charged with following his ongoing refusal to cooperate with the committee. Bannon’s trial has been set for July.
Trump’s last chief of staff Mark Meadows, who is also a former congressman, also refused. A criminal charge has been recommended by the committee for him as well.
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