WASHINGTON, DC – Following tonight’s hearing of the bipartisan January 6th Select Committee, Constitutional Accountability Center President Elizabeth Wydra issued the following reaction:

Following seven momentous hearings of the Select Committee—revealing shocking events leading up to and on January 6—tonight the Committee presented overwhelming evidence how, for 187 minutes of the mob’s horrifying attack on our democracy, former President Trump looked on without condemnation or any action to intervene.

Tonight, two U.S. military servicemembers—Rep. Adam Kinzinger and Rep. Elaine Luria, veterans of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, respectively—led the Committee in exploring proof that, among other things, Trump violated the oath he took as president to “faithfully execute” his office. He was plainly derelict in his duty.

As the Capitol attack unfolded on live television, Trump issued no immediate statement demanding the attackers to stop. He made no calls to law enforcement. Issued no orders to mobilize the national guard. Instead, he watched the armed mob that he urged toward the Capitol to attack our democracy, in hopes that it would succeed in blocking the peaceful transfer of power as provided for in our Constitution.

Learning what Trump did—and just as important, didn’t do—on January 6, is vital to the public’s understanding of that horrible day. It is also relevant to possible criminal charges. Tonight’s hearing was another step toward holding accountable those responsible for the attack—whether they are members of Congress or a former president—and it is critical to the continuing work of protecting our freedom to vote and, ultimately, our democracy.

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Resources:

TV (Fox LiveNow): CAC’s Wydra Discusses Seventh Hearing of January 6th Committee, July 12, 2022: https://www.theusconstitution.org/news/tv-livenow-cacs-wydra-discusses-seventh-hearing-of-january-6th-committee/

TV (ABC News Live): CAC’s Wydra Discusses Testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson to Bipartisan January 6th Committee, June 28, 2022: https://www.theusconstitution.org/news/tv-abc-news-live-cacs-wydra-discusses-testimony-of-cassidy-hutchinson-to-bipartisan-january-6th-committee/

TV (NBC News Now): CAC’s Wydra joins Joshua Johnson to Discuss Day 3 of January 6 Committee Hearings, June 16, 2022: https://www.theusconstitution.org/news/tv-nbc-news-now-cacs-wydra-joins-joshua-johnson-to-discuss-day-3-of-january-6-committee-hearings/

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Constitutional Accountability Center is a think tank, public interest law firm, and action center dedicated to fulfilling the progressive promise of the Constitution’s text, history, and values. Visit CAC’s website at www.theusconstitution.org.

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