Jan 6 hearings resume latest: Newly released photos show Pence and family in hiding during Capitol riot

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The Big Lie was also the big-rip off: Jan 6 committee hears Trumps fraud claims

A newly released photograph shows then-vice president Mike Pence and his family in hiding after they were evacuated from the floor of the U.S. Senate as a mob breached the U.S. Capitol and stormed the halls of Congress on 6 January 2021.

The image obtained by ABC News shows Mr Pence with his wife Karen Pence, his brother (US representative Greg Pence) and the former vice presidents daughter Charlotte inside a ceremonial office near the Senate floor. Ms Pence can be seen drawing the curtains to the office.

Meanwhile, the panel has released footage of a tour given the day before the Capitol riot by Republican congressman Barry Loudermilk pointing out that individuals on the tour photographed and recorded areas of the complex not typically of interest to tourists, including hallways, staircases, and security checkpoints.

Mr Loudermilk denies that the tour provided a reconnaissance opportunity to his visitors, and a letter from the Capitol Police released earlier this week said that the force is not treating it as suspicious.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump wrote in capital letters on Truth Social: They cannot defend the fraud and irregularities that took place. The Committee is a SCAM!

Key pointsShow latest update 1655370014Should Jesus have had an AR-15? Lauren Boebert mocked for missing point of Christs sacrifice

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert is facing a backlash for tying Jesus Christs death to gun rights, implying that he could have defended himself from crucifixion had he had an assault rifle.

Speaking during an event organized by Charis Christian Center last Saturday, the Colorado Representative said little Twitter trolls often challenge her about her pro-gun stance, asking if Jesus needed AR-15 rifles.

They like to say: Oh, Jesus didnt need an AR-15. How many AR-15s do you think Jesus would have had? Well, he didn’t have enough to keep his government from killing him.

Read the full story here:

Maroosha Muzaffar16 June 2022 10:00

1655368200Who is Barry Loudermilk and why did he give a tour of US Capitol on 5 January 2021?

In addition to being all of those things, 63-year Barry Loudermilk is now also said to be a person who led a not typical tour of the US Capitol on Jan 5 2021.

Andrew Buncombe reports on how the Georgia lawmaker found himself at the center of the Jan 6 committees investigation.

Oliver O’Connell16 June 2022 09:30

1655367300Jan 6 committee confirms Thursday witnesses

Todays hearing at 1pm ET (6pm UK) will feature testimony from Greg Jacob, former Counsel to Vice President Mike Pence, and Michael Luttig, retired judge for the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and informal advisor to Mr Pence.

In a video previewing the hearing, committee Vice-Chair Liz Cheney explained the focus will be on President Donald Trumps relentless efforts to put pressure on Mr Pence to refuse to count lawful votes in the 2020 election.

She notes that a federal judge has said this likely violated two federal criminal statutes.

Andrew Naughtie16 June 2022 09:15

1655366400What have we learned from the January 6 committee hearings so far?

After nearly a year-long investigation, the House of Representatives select committee charged with investigating the circumstances which led to the worst attack on the U.S. Capital since 1814 is presenting its preliminary findings to the public.

The panel of seven Democrats, along with Republican Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, began revealing what it has learned in a prime time, televised hearing on 9 June.

On Monday, the select committee presented videotaped testimony from Bill Stepien, former president Donald Trumps campaign manager, as well as an ex-Fox News editor, a top GOP election lawyer, and two Republican former government officials whod found themselves on the receiving end of Donald Trumps wrath after not concurring with his lies regarding the conduct of the 2020 election.

The presentation was the first follow-up to the panels prime-time opening hearing, during which viewers were shown unseen footage from police body-worn cameras, Capitol security cameras, and footage shot by a British documentarian, Nick Quested, who spent the days leading up to the attack following members of the pro-Trump extremist gang known as the Proud Boys.

The Independents Andrew Feinberg examines some of the biggest revelations from the first two hearings.

Oliver O’Connell16 June 2022 09:00

1655364600ICYMI: Jan 6 committee Vice-Chair Liz Cheney previews Thursdays hearing

January 6 committee Vice-Chair Liz Cheney previews Thursdays hearing and its focus on President Donald Trumps relentless efforts to put pressure on Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to count lawful votes.

She notes that a federal judge has said, this likely violated two federal criminal statutes.

Oliver O’Connell16 June 2022 08:30

1655362800DeSantis jokes he welcomes support from African Americans after Elon Musk backs him

When he was asked about Mr Musks support for him on Wednesday, Mr DeSantis said, Im focused on 2022, but with Elon Musk, what I would say is I welcome support from African Americans. What can I say?

Mr Musk was born to white parents in South Africa in 1971. He grew up in Pretoria before moving to Canada at the age of 17 and he later moved to the US.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Oliver O’Connell16 June 2022 08:00

1655359200Trump predicts Cheneys fate in Wyoming primary after impeacher ousted in South Carolina

Former President Donald Trump has hit out at longtime foe and January 6 committee vice chair Liz Cheney, calling her a war criminal and saying she will meet the same electoral fate as Rep Tom Rice of South Carolina, who voted to impeach him.

Mr Rice lost his primary on Tuesday night (see our coverage below), and Ms Cheney is trailing her Trump-backed opponent in Wyoming in her race.

Mr Trump posted on Truth Social:

Same things going to happen in Wyoming to Virginia resident Liz Cheney, that happened in South Carolina to Congressman Impeach Master Tom Rice, who lost as an incumbent by 28 points! To me she is nothing less than a war criminal who has done a TERRIBLE job for the Great State of Wyoming!

Oliver O’Connell16 June 2022 07:00

1655355600GOP Rep Loudermilk calls out Jan 6 panel smear campaign

Republican Georgia Representative Barry Loudermilk has slammed the House Select Committee investigating January 6 for what he says is a smear campaign after a video was released showing him taking part in a group tour of the Capitol on 5 January 2021 the day before the insurrection.

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, DC.

Oliver O’Connell16 June 2022 06:00

1655351984Full Biden statement on Ukraine aid

Per the White House, the call with the Ukrainian president informing him of the aid lasted from 10.54am to 11.35am this morning:

Statement by President Joe Biden on Support for Ukraine and Call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine

This morning, I spoke with President Zelenskyy to discuss Russias brutal and ongoing war against Ukraine. I reaffirmed my commitment that the United States will stand by Ukraine as it defends its democracy and support its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of unprovoked Russian aggression.

I informed President Zelenskyy that the United States is providing another $ 1 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, including additional artillery and coastal defense weapons, as well as ammunition for the artillery and advanced rocket systems that the Ukrainians need to support their defensive operations in the Donbas . We also discussed Secretary Austins efforts in Brussels today to coordinate additional international support for the Ukrainian armed forces.

We also remain committed to supporting the Ukrainian people whose lives have been ripped apart by this war. Today, I am also announcing an additional $ 225 million in humanitarian assistance to help people inside Ukraine, including by supplying safe drinking water, critical medical supplies and health care, food, shelter, and cash for families to purchase essential items. The bravery, resilience, and determination of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire the world. And the United States, together with our allies and partners, will not waver in our commitment to the Ukrainian people as they fight for their freedom.

Later at the White House press briefing, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said the administration has now provided a total of $ 5.6bn in military assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion.

Oliver O’Connell16 June 2022 04:59

1655351424’Blockbuster moment ‘expected during retired judge Michael J Luttig’s testimony

Retired federal Judge Michael J Luttig is going to testify before the 6 January committee on Thursday and he is planning to state that the Republican National Committee is wrong to have referred to some of the events of 6 January last year as legitimate political discourse.

CBS News reported, quoting two sources familiar with the planned testimony, that Mr Luttig is also expected to warn fellow conservatives not to ignore the gravity of what Mr Trump did as he scrambled to hold onto the presidency that day.

Conservative activist and commentator George Conway told MSNBC: I really want to hear this [Mr Luttigs] testimony. I think its going to be a blockbuster moment in these hearings.

Maroosha Muzaffar16 June 2022 04:50

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