Georgia Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk has revealed that House Speaker Mike Johnson has committed to formalizing his investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot by creating a new congressional committee.
The move marks a major step in the GOP’s ongoing push to challenge the original Democrat-led January 6 investigation, which many Republicans have criticized as politically motivated. With Republicans now in control of Congress and the White House, the party is expanding its investigative efforts to counter the narrative surrounding the Capitol riot and scrutinize the actions of the prior January 6 select committee.
New January 6 Committee: GOP to Take Full Control of the Investigation
Loudermilk confirmed that Speaker Johnson will oversee the formation of the new committee, ensuring that Republicans control appointments, the structure, and the scope of the investigation.
“The prior January 6 committee, led by Adam Schiff and Liz Cheney, was so singularly focused on blaming President Trump,” Loudermilk stated. “In reality, the failures that led to that day were far more widespread.”
According to Loudermilk, the new GOP-led committee will focus on exposing the failures of the Capitol’s security response and re-evaluating the evidence used by the prior panel. Johnson has also pledged that the new committee will be ‘fully funded’, ensuring that it can conduct an extensive review of the events of January 6 and hold accountable those responsible for political weaponization.
GOP’s Larger Investigative Strategy: Expanding Beyond January 6
The formation of a new January 6 investigation committee is just one of several high-profile Republican probes aimed at revisiting unresolved investigations from the previous Congress.
According to CNN, Republicans have also re-issued subpoenas related to:
- Special Counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents
- The Justice Department’s tax investigation into Hunter Biden
These subpoenas aim to revive unfinished GOP-led probes that were previously fought over in court for months.
Adam Schiff Rejects Biden’s Pardon Over “Blowback” Concerns
Meanwhile, California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff has suggested that he may refuse a pardon issued by President Joe Biden. The pardon was granted to individuals involved in the original January 6 investigation, including Schiff himself.
During an interview on NBC’s Meet The Press, Schiff expressed concerns over potential “blowback” if he were to accept clemency. Schiff, who has previously claimed that accepting a pardon equates to an admission of guilt, now finds himself in an uncomfortable position.
Biden Issues Last-Minute Pardons, Including Liz Cheney & Fauci
In a controversial move, President Joe Biden issued a series of last-minute pardons before leaving office. Among the recipients were:
- Former Rep. Liz Cheney, the co-chair of the January 6 Committee
- Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former White House COVID-19 advisor
Biden aides claim the pardons were meant to shield them from political retribution under President Donald Trump’s new administration. However, legal experts quickly pointed out loopholes in the clemency orders.
Legal Experts Say Pardons Could Backfire on Cheney & Fauci
Federal litigation attorney Jesse Binnall, a former attorney for President Trump, explained that Biden’s pardons do not prevent Cheney and Fauci from testifying if subpoenaed by the new GOP-led Congress.
“The pardons are actually great news,” Binnall wrote on X. “No one who was just pardoned will be able to refuse to testify in a civil, criminal, or congressional proceeding based upon the 5th Amendment.”
Additionally, Binnall warned that perjury laws still apply—meaning that if Cheney or Fauci lie under oath in any future testimony, they could still face criminal consequences.
“Let’s just be realistic,” Binnall continued. “Most of these disgusting individuals would probably have to be charged in Washington, D.C., which doesn’t convict partisan leftists.”
Conclusion: Republicans Strengthen Investigations as Democrats Scramble
With Speaker Mike Johnson’s commitment to formalizing the new January 6 committee, Republicans are poised to reshape the narrative surrounding the Capitol riot. At the same time, Democrats are grappling with the political and legal fallout from last-minute pardons and past investigations.
As the GOP pushes forward with its investigative agenda, the stage is set for a political battle over transparency, accountability, and the integrity of previous probes.
Will the new committee expose previously concealed facts, or will it be met with resistance from Democrats? The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of January 6 investigations and the accountability of past decision-makers.