Key Findings from teh January 6th Commitee Report
Table of Contents
The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol released its final report on December 22, 2022. This report details the findings of its examination into the events leading up to,during,and following the attack.
The Role of Donald Trump
The Committee concluded that former President Donald Trump engaged in a multi-part conspiracy to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election.This Also to be considered: is based on over 1,000 interviews and more than 5 million documents reviewed by the Committee. (Source: Final Report of the Select Committee to Investigate the january 6th Attack on the United States Capitol)
The report states that Trump knowingly spread false claims of widespread voter fraud. For example, Trump repeatedly claimed the election was “stolen” despite being informed by his own Attorney General, William Barr, that there was no evidence of widespread fraud. (Source: New york Times – Barr Says Justice Dept. Found No Evidence of Widespread Voter fraud)
Attempts to Pressure state Officials
The Committee documented numerous attempts by Trump and his allies to pressure state officials to alter election results. In Georgia, Trump called Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on January 2, 2021, and asked him to “find” 11,780 votes. (Source: Washington Post – Transcript: Trump’s call wiht Georgia Secretary of State)
The report details similar pressure campaigns in Arizona, Pennsylvania, and other states. These efforts included attempts to convince state legislatures to appoint alternate electors.
The Events of January 6th
On January 6, 2021, a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol Building while Congress was in the process of certifying the Electoral College votes. The Committee found that Trump deliberately incited the violence through his words and actions. (Source: January 6th Committee Website)
140 police officers were injured during the attack.(Source: NBC News – jan. 6 committee: 140 police officers injured during Capitol attack)
The Committee identified several key individuals and groups involved in organizing and carrying out the attack, including the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. 11 members of the Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy. (Source: department of Justice – oath Keepers Leader and Four Members Convicted of Seditious Conspiracy)
Financial Support and Fundraising
The Committee investigated the fundraising efforts surrounding the January 6th events. The Trump campaign raised over $250 million after the election, much of which was used to promote false claims of fraud and challenge the election results.(Source: OpenSecrets – Donald Trump)
institutional Failures
The report identifies failures by various institutions, including the Secret Service and the Department of Defense, in responding to the events of January 6th. The committee found evidence that the Secret Service deleted text messages from January 5th and 6th. (Source: CNN – Secret Service admits texts from Jan. 5 and 6 are missing)
Recommendations
- The Committee recommends that Congress consider legislation to clarify the Electoral Count Act.
- The Committee recommends that the Department of Justice investigate and prosecute individuals who engaged in criminal conduct related to the January 6th attack.
- the Committee recommends that state and local election officials take steps to protect election workers from threats and intimidation.
The full report and supporting documents are available on the January 6th Committee website: https://jan6threport.selectcommittee.house.gov/
