This week, the House select committee has continued its probe into the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, with a suprise sixth hearing scheduled for Tuesday, June 28.
Over five hearings so far this month, the panel has presented evidence about former president Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, culminating in the deadly storming of the Capitol by his followers on January 6, 2021.
The hearings so far have attempted to make the case that Trump was responsible for the attack, presenting evidence that the former president continued to push the claims of fans that the election was stolen even as his advisers and allies repeatedly told him he had lost.
They have also laid bare Trump's efforts to pressure then Vice President Mike Pence to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory. The hearing on Tuesday, June 21 focused on how Trump and his inner circle pressured state officials to overturn the 2020 election results.
The fifth hearing on Thursday looked at another part of Trump's scheme: his attempt to corrupt the country's top law enforcement body—the Justice Department—to support his attempt to overturn the election."
All major broadcast and cable networks—including ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC—have been covering the hearings, which will continue into the fall.
On Thursday, the American people will hear about another part of Trump's scheme: his attempt to corrupt the country’s top law enforcement body—the Justice Department—to support his attempt to overturn the election. pic.twitter.com/SEiL5GD69l
— January 6th Committee (@January6thCmte) June 21, 2022
When Is Next January 6 Hearing?
A series of six hearings began earlier this month.
Five hearings have taken place so far:
- First hearing—Thursday, June 9
- Second hearing—Monday, June 13
- Third hearing—Thursday, June 16
- Fourth hearing—Tuesday, June 21
- Fifth hearing—Thursday, June 23
- Sixth hearing—Tuesday, June 28.
The sixth hearing was unexpectedly added just the day before by the Jan. 6 Committee. The announcement of the hearing on Monday came as a surprise after the panel previously said that it would be taking a break until July. The committee said in a tweet that its members would "present recently obtained evidence and receive witness testimony" on Tuesday.
There may also be more hearings planned for September.
What Happened on Jan 6 in 2021?
The attack on the Capitol last January resulted in the deaths of five people directly in the riots, while four police officers who were involved with the response that day died by suicide following the unrest. Some 138 police officers were also injured in the unrest, leading to at least 865 people being charged in connection with the riots.
Trump gave a speech earlier that day claiming the election result was fraudulent, before a large mob—many of them supporters of the former president—stormed the Capitol, as Congress was formalizing Joe Biden's victory.
During the riots at the Capitol, Trump supporters were heard shouting "Hang Mike Pence", likely because of his move to defy Trump. Pence himself may be asked to testify before the panel, The Associated Press reported last week, and previous hearings described how Trump allegedly warned him he'd face consequences if he defied calls not to certify Biden's election victory.
More recently, Trump has repeatedly criticized the hearings and called those on the committee "con artists."
The majority of Americans believe Trump should face criminal charges in connection to the Capitol Riots, a new poll revealed last week.
Updated 06/22/2022, 10:31 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with the time the hearing will be televised on Thursday and details about the fifth hearing.
Updated 06/24/2022, 4:44 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with details about the upcoming hearings.
