Almost 18 months after an angry mob stormed the Capitol, the House Select Committee on Intelligence released a summary that lays out evidence that President Donald Trump tried to overturn the results of the recent election. The report also suggests that members of Trump’s campaign tampered with the investigation.
In addition to the rioters, the report details how Trump’s campaign aides and supporters pressured state officials and Vice President Mike Pence to change the outcome of the election. The report also points out that Trump attempted to prevent Congress from reaffirming that President Biden had won the presidential election. Several of Trump’s top allies acknowledge that there is no proof to back up their claims.
One of the most damaging pieces of evidence that the committee released is the transcript of an interview with Hope Hicks, a former Trump loyalist. She was present during the January 6 meeting. But she did not recall providing information to the White House.
The report also outlines a seven-part plan to sabotage the 2020 presidential election. It includes the arm-twisting of senior Justice Department officials. Those involved include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, former acting assistant attorney general for the Civil Division Peter Navarro, and former White House counsel Pat Cipollone. Despite this, the report does not include any evidence of criminal obstruction of the investigation.
Another key piece of evidence that the committee released is a list of emails from conservative group Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton. According to the report, Fitton told the Trump campaign that the former president needed to declare victory even if he did not win the election.
Members of the House intelligence committee have conducted more than 1,000 interviews. They’ve met with more than 30 witnesses who have exercised their Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Although the report does not detail the names of individuals who have been interviewed, it does provide the dates of the interviews. This is a good starting point for tracking the testimony that was gathered.
One of the other significant points in the report is the committee’s finding that two of Trump’s appointees were unethical. Specifically, the committee recommended investigating Reps. Andy Biggs, Rep. Jim Jordan, and Rep. Scott Perry, all of whom are Republicans. If the committee finds any evidence that any of these lawmakers were obstructed in their official duties, it could result in them being sanctioned.
Finally, the report notes that the committee was aware of multiple attempts by the Trump administration to contact witnesses. At one point, the White House spoke to an employee of the National Security Agency about Trump’s decision to cancel a directive. During the same period, the White House contacted Marjorie Taylor Greene, a member of the GOP. Eventually, the White House spoke to Meadows. Afterwards, the committee said, Greene texted a White House official that he was going to have to “calm the people.”
Despite the report’s findings, the committee is not satisfied. On Tuesday, committee chairman Bennie Thompson said the panel would release the full report on Dec. 21, a date that has been pushed back numerous times.