- New Select Subcommittee Approved
House Republicans, under Speaker Mike Johnson, are preparing to establish a select subcommittee dedicated to digging further into the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack and related events. It will be chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R‑GA), who previously led the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight.
- Purpose & Political Motivation
The committee aims to continue, and potentially challenge, the findings of the prior bipartisan January 6 Select Committee. Republicans contend they are exposing “false narratives” and exploring broader angles such as intelligence and security failures—while some Democrats view it as a politically driven distraction. - Delays and Internal Disputes
The effort has been delayed for months due to disagreements over scope and authority between Speaker Johnson—who favors a narrower mandate—and Loudermilk, who wants extensive powers including subpoena authority. Former President Trump personally intervened in June to prod Johnson and secure expanded authority for Loudermilk.
- Progress Ahead of Fall Session
As of July 2025, Republican leaders expect to vote on a formal resolution after the August recess to officially create the subcommittee under the House Judiciary Committee, marking a significant step toward relaunching the investigation. - Legal and Ethical Questions Around Pardons
Separate but related, there is discussion about whether accepting pardons—even pre-emptively—might imply guilt or affect legal testimony obligations. Legal experts note that pardons don’t excuse individuals from responding to congressional subpoenas. Senator Adam Schiff has voiced concerns about the optics of accepting early pardons.
