Expect to hear a bit more of this in coming days and weeks.
Yesterday, in her opening remarks at the select committee’s first meeting, Rep. Liz Cheney made clear that she is serious about getting all the facts about how the insurrection of January 6 was planned and executed. And by whom.
“We cannot leave the violence of January 6th—and its causes—uninvestigated. The American people deserve the full and open testimony of every person with knowledge of the planning and preparation for January 6th,” Cheney said. “We must know what happened here at the Capitol. We must also know what happened every minute of that day in the White House—every phone call, every conversation, every meeting leading up to, during, and after the attack.”
[bolding mine]
It looks as if Rep. Cheney’s speech might have jogged an absent colleague’s memory.
Sidney Blumenthal, in a must-read for the Guardian, provides a long list of contacts Rep. Jim Jordan had with people associated with the White House before and after the insurrection that need explanation.
Just two out of more than a dozen:
7) On 5 January, Brian Jack, the political director in the White House, called Mo Brooks to ask him to address the “Stop the Steal” rally on 6 January. “Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass,” Brooks shouted at the 6 January rally “Are you willing to do what it takes to fight for America? Louder! Will you fight for America?” Subsequently, Kevin McCarthy hired Brian Jack as his political director.
What does Jordan know about Brian Jack’s role in the organization of the January rally? Did he speak with Brian Jack about the planning and the rally? Has he spoken to him since about the events of 6 January?
8) On 5 January, Adam Piper, the executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association (Raga), participated in a call organized by the White House to help plan the rally and events of 6 January. The non-profit arm of Raga, the Rule of Law Defense Fund, promoted attendance at the rally through robocalls to Republican activists. “At 1pm, we will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal,” said the robocall, according to the investigative organization Documented. “We are hoping patriots like you will join us to continue to fight to protect the integrity of our elections.”
Do look over Mr. Blumenthal’s list. I think you’ll agree that Jordan’s Zelig-esque cameos in multiple events bear much deeper scrutiny. Under oath.
But there’s one contact Blumenthal didn’t address—because no one knew about it until Jordan himself spilled the beans to FOX “News” host Brett Baier last night. From the Washington Post:
Rep. Jordan appears to acknowledge speaking with Trump on Jan. 6
Don’t worry, congressional spokesdroid. We’re patient and are willing to wait for further comment from the congressman himself. We know he’s been anxious to strip off the jacket and get back in front of the cameras, and we’re happy to oblige.
He might want to make another call first, though. To a lawyer.
Update: Rep. Jordan’s memory is improving by the hour:
Ohio's
confirms to me:“I spoke with [Trump] on Jan. 6th."Before, during or after attack?“I spoke with him that day, after? I think after. I don't know if I spoke with him in the morning or not. I just don't know...I don't know when those conversations happened.”