A new resolution proposed by House GOP members aims to revoke subpoenas sent by the House select committee on Jan. 6 to key aides of former President Trump. Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Eric Burlison, R-Mo., introduced the resolution to rescind subpoenas sent to Steve Bannon, Mark Meadows, Peter Navarro, and Dan Scavino. The resolution also seeks to withdraw the contempt of Congress resolutions filed against each individual for defying the subpoenas.
Burlison criticized the committee for being used as a political weapon to target Trump and his advisors. He stated that the subpoenas issued by the committee were insufficient and should be rescinded. Massie emphasized the urgency of the situation and called for an immediate vote on the resolution.
Currently, the GOP legislation has gained support from 22 additional co-sponsors. Bannon and Navarro were sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress, while Meadows and Scavino were not prosecuted by the Department of Justice.
The House select committee was established by Speaker Nancy Pelosi in response to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Initially, a vote to create a commission to investigate the riot passed the House but failed in the Senate. Subsequently, a select committee was formed with Pelosi having full power of appointments, leading to criticism from GOP members about the committee’s partisan nature.
Critics of the panel, including GOP members, have raised concerns about the committee’s impartiality, pointing to Pelosi’s rejection of Trump-allied Republicans nominated by Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Rep. Jim Banks, one of the rejected nominees, is among the co-sponsors of Burlison’s resolution.
The resolution put forward by House GOP members reflects ongoing tensions surrounding the investigation into the events of Jan. 6 and the actions of individuals close to former President Trump. As the political debate continues, the resolution to revoke subpoenas and contempt of Congress resolutions adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of the House select committee’s actions and decisions.