House Republicans, at the direct urging of President Donald Trump, have established a new select subcommittee to reinvestigate the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), the panel aims to challenge the findings of the previous Democrat-led January 6 committee, which concluded that Trump’s actions incited the violence that disrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
According to sources, Trump personally pressed House Speaker Mike Johnson and Loudermilk to prioritize this probe before taking office.
In June 2025, Trump summoned Loudermilk to the White House to address delays in forming the subcommittee, which had stalled due to internal GOP disagreements and bureaucratic hurdles.
“I got called in by the president,” Loudermilk told CNN.
“He was asking, ‘what is the stall?’
Because he had expected it to be done early in the year too.”
The new subcommittee, now formalized with subpoena power, will operate under the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).
Loudermilk secured a broad mandate, allowing him to investigate beyond his initial jurisdiction, including law enforcement and intelligence agencies, with support from a Trump-aligned White House.
“We have a friendly administration now who has already committed to work with us,” Loudermilk said, noting potential access to Department of Justice files related to January 6.
GOP Aims to Reframe January 6 Narrative
The subcommittee’s primary focus will be to scrutinize the work of the previous January 6 committee, led by Democrats and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY).
Loudermilk’s prior investigation under the House Administration Committee produced a report in December 2024 recommending Cheney’s prosecution by the FBI for her role in the probe, a move criticized by Democrats as politically motivated.
House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed this sentiment, stating, “House Republicans are proud of our work so far in exposing the false narratives peddled by the politically motivated January 6 Select Committee during the 117th Congress, but there is clearly more work to be done.”
Trump has consistently denounced his legal accountability for January 6, including pardoning nearly all of the 1,600 individuals charged in connection with the attack, some of whom assaulted Capitol Police officers.
His administration has also removed prosecutors involved in January 6 cases, signaling a broader effort to reshape the narrative around the event.
Democratic Criticism and Timing Concerns
The announcement of the subcommittee coincided with a bipartisan vote demanding the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, leading some Democrats to label the GOP’s move as a distraction.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who chaired the original January 6 committee, called Loudermilk’s investigation “pathetic” and harmful to democracy.
“Loudermilk’s investigation in the Select Committee is now into its third year and they have found absolutely nothing,” Thompson said.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), another committee member, accused Republicans of dodging scrutiny over the Epstein files, stating, “They’re breaking out all the tired old hits.”
The new panel, which includes up to three Democratic seats, will not commence until September 2025 due to a congressional recess.
Loudermilk faces staffing challenges, as many original team members left during the delays.
He remains optimistic, however, stating, “I think we can move a whole lot faster at this point.”
Internal GOP Divisions and Broader Implications
The formation of the subcommittee highlights divisions within the Republican Party.
While some, like Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), support the probe, others, such as Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), expressed surprise at its continuation, indicating it is not a priority for all GOP members.
House Speaker Johnson initially sought a narrower focus, avoiding investigations into Cheney and the prior committee, but Trump’s intervention ensured Loudermilk’s broader scope prevailed.
The investigation’s outcome could further polarize public perception of January 6, especially as Trump’s Justice Department, led by allies like Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, is expected to cooperate fully.
Critics argue the probe risks undermining the established record of the Capitol attack, which resulted in over 1,400 charges and hundreds of convictions, while supporters claim it will uncover overlooked security and intelligence failures.
As the 119th Congress prepares to convene, the GOP’s renewed focus on January 6 underscores Trump’s enduring influence over the party and its legislative priorities.
This sets the stage for a contentious reexamination of one of the most tumultuous days in recent American history.
Also Read: MAGA Now Scrutinize Trump Over Epstein Client List Failure
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