New Developments from the January 6th House Selection Subcommittee
The newly formed US House Selection Subcommittee on January 6th is ramping up efforts to obtain documents, videos, transcripts, and other pertinent information related to the events of January 6, 2021. They sent out seven demand letters on Thursday, targeting five contract vendors from the previous committee established by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Committee Chairman, Rep. Barry Rudermilk (R-Georgia), expressed concerns about the previous committee’s handling of the data, stating, “To date, Representative Thompson has not considered missing footage and data.” He criticized the former committee for not properly archiving a significant amount of digital information, arguing that it not only breached House Rules but also jeopardized the investigation’s integrity. Rudermilk mentioned that some members of his team are particularly focused on uncovering videos and documents that were previously withheld from the public.
A notable request came from Attorney General Pam Bondy, who is seeking what could be a trove of data from the Department of Justice.
In a related communication, Loudermilk requested that the Selection Subcommittee receive all materials from the DOJ, emphasizing the need for comprehensive oversight.
During the 118th Congress, the GOP-led subcommittee encountered challenges due to over a terabyte of missing digital data, including crucial video footage from depositions and interviews. This issue was acknowledged in a letter from former selection committee co-chair Benny Thompson (D-Miss.) back in July 2023.
Loudermilk noted, “To date, Representative Thompson has not considered missing footage and data,” reiterating ongoing frustrations.
Moreover, a letter was dispatched to DC LLC Design, a company that received over $2 million from the Consultant Services Selection Committee, requesting all video and audio collected on January 6. This company specializes in website and application development, according to Loudermilk.
Another firm, Polar Solutions Inc. from Gaithersburg, Maryland, also received a request for all materials. They had been paid more than $2.7 million for their contractor services, which include financial investigations and management training.
Patctech, located in Plainfield, Indiana, was also approached; they received over $400,000 for providing high-tech forensic services.
As the subcommittee continues its inquiries, the DOJ and the contractors have been instructed to submit all requested information by October 2nd.
The selection subcommittee, appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on September 11th, includes Republican representatives Morgan Griffith from Virginia, Troy Naires from Texas, Clay Higgins from Louisiana, and Harriet Hagan from Wyoming. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) appointed members such as Rep. Eric Swalwell from California and Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Texas, among others, to participate in this ongoing investigation, with Swalwell having experience from the earlier January 6 committee in the 117th Congress.
