WASHINGTON (Fwrd Axis) — The January 6 House select committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol asked House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to voluntarily cooperate and provide information related to the investigation.
Select committee chair Bennie Thompson said the committee is looking for information on the days leading up to January 6 and the events that followed. McCarthy previously placed blame on former President Donald Trump for the violence that day.
CNN was the first to report the meeting.
“You have acknowledged speaking directly with the former president while the violence was underway on January 6th,” Thompson said in a statement. “And you summarized your conclusions regarding President Trump’s conduct on January 6th in a speech you made January 23th on the House floor: ‘The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters.”
Thompson’s request is only voluntary, and not a subpoena.
Meanwhile, former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany met with the panel virtually Wednesday and answered questions, Thompson said. It is not yet known what McEnany discussed with the committee.
So far, the committee has met with Trump allies, former White House officials, campaign aides, and individuals involved in the planning of the rally on January 6.
Trump was impeached for “incitement of insurrection” in a 232-197 vote, with 10 Republicans joining Democrats. He was acquitted in a 57-43 vote in the Senate.
McCarthy released a statement late Wednesday night saying he would not comply with the committee’s request.
“It is with neither regret nor satisfaction that I have concluded to not participate with this select committee’s abuse of power that stains this institution today and will harm it going forward,” he said.
This story has been updated to include McCarthy’s statement.
