House Speaker Mike Johnson is officially launching a bold new chapter in the probe into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Spearheading this effort will be GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia, as part of a strategic Republican push to deepen and expand the investigations that began during the last Congress. With Republicans now holding sway over both chambers of Congress and the White House, they are seizing the moment to aggressively advance their agenda—and to finally follow through on long-standing political inquiries.
Campaign Merchandise
Loudermilk has confirmed that while the finer details of the new committee are still being finalized, it’s expected to be a select committee. This status will grant it greater flexibility in both structure and membership, with Speaker Johnson playing a decisive role in choosing who sits on it. Loudermilk’s involvement has been closely watched within GOP circles, where many believe the January 6 attack was not solely the consequence of former President Donald Trump’s actions but rather a breakdown caused by failures at multiple levels of government.
Campaign Merchandise
Meanwhile, a wave of concern is rising among some Democrats about the evolving nature of these investigations. Senator Adam Schiff, a former key player on the January 6th select committee, has hinted that he might refuse any pardon offered by President Biden to individuals involved in the congressional inquiry. Schiff, a vocal critic of presidential pardons, argues that accepting such a pardon could be interpreted as an admission of guilt—potentially complicating the legal standing of those who might later be called to testify under oath.
Legal experts weigh in, clarifying that while pardons protect individuals from criminal prosecution, they do not exempt them from testifying if subpoenaed. This distinction carries serious implications for figures like Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci, who were among those granted pardons by Biden. Though shielded from criminal charges, these individuals remain fully obligated to comply with legal proceedings, including congressional testimony. Some analysts even see these pardons as a strategic move—ensuring key witnesses remain legally bound to answer questions when summoned.
