Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, appointed Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger as a member of a committee that will investigate the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol. Pelosi stated that Kinzinger is a great patriot and will help the Committee achieve its mission of protecting democracy and finding the facts. Kinzinger quickly released a statement stating that he accepted the invitation to join the panel. He said that he would work hard to uncover the truth and hold those responsible fully accountable. It is not clear if Pelosi will appoint other Republicans to the panel.AdvertisementPelosi stated earlier in the day that she would likely appoint the Illinois lawmaker as part of an effort increase the number of GOP lawmakers on the Capitol riot investigation committee. When asked by ABC's This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos if she intended to appoint additional Republicans to the committee like Congressman Adam Kinzinger to that end, Pelosi replied: That is my plan.AdvertisementAdvertisementKinzinger, a rare Republican critic against former President Donald Trump, was one of 10 House Republicans who voted in favor of his second impeachment. Kinzinger told people close to him that he would accept the position in the committee. He will join Rep. Liz Cheney from Wyoming, who was the only Republican in the newly created select committee. Pelosi described Cheney, a Trump critic and also a prominent member of Congress, as a courageous member of Congress. Cheney, the No. 3 Republican in the House was forced to resign in May for her criticisms of the former president.AdvertisementJust days after Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader pulled the names of five GOP lawmakers he had proposed for the panel, the House speaker spoke out about her plans for that committee. Pelosi stated that she opposed Rep. Jim Banks from Indiana and Rep. Jim Jordan, Ohio due to their statements regarding Jan. 6's probe. She said they were only trying to distract the investigation from Trump. Pelosi stated that the two people I wouldn't appoint would compromise the integrity of the investigation and would be unacceptable to me as we seek the truth. She said that even though the Republicans may not be able to handle the truth, we still have the responsibility to find it.Banks charged Pelosi Sunday with having a predetermined narrative she wanted to follow in the investigation. Banks stated on Fox News Sunday that Pelosi wants only members to stick to her talking points, and her narrative. She has chosen the group she's already selected, and any person she asks to join this committee will adhere to her narrative and her point of view. There will not be another side.
