Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) followed Thompson. After top House Republicans resigned, Thompson was appointed to the panel along with Rep. Adam Kinzinger.Cheney stated that the panel should investigate all aspects of Jan. 6, but also "every minute" of January 6. This subtle, but not unmistakable attack on the former president for her criticisms of him was subtle.Cheney stated that he has been a conservative Republican since 1984 and had "disagreed sharply with all Democratic members on the select panel about policy and politics", but "in the final we are one nation under God."She added that "everyone on the dais voted in and would prefer that these matters are investigated" by an independent bipartisan commission. Although 35 House Republicans supported legislation that would have created such an inquiry into the Riot, Senate Republicans prevented it from being passed.Capitol Police Sergeant. Aquilino, who came from Dominican Republic to the U.S., stated that he was more scared on Jan. 6th than during his entire deployment in Iraq. He said he didn't recognize the rioters Jan. 6, and was shocked to see the rioters using the American flag they claimed to be protecting." He wiped away his tears, wiping away his eyes.Gonell stated that the treatment officers received resembled a medieval battle. He said that he could feel his oxygen dwindling and thought to himself, "This is how I'm going to die."Gonell later explained to lawmakers that hearing the former president call Jan. 6 "lovefest" is "upsetting", and "apathetic excuse for his behavior for something he helped create, this monstrosity."Gonell stated that it was an attempt to coup. If it was another country, the United States would have sent helpMichael Fanone, a D.C. officer, suffered a mild heart attack after which he was electrocuted with the taser. He thought he had seen it all in his previous work, but what he saw was different. He described in detail his fear that the rioters would kill him. As he described the "disgraceful" attempts by GOP lawmakers to downplay the siege, his voice rose briefly to a roar and he slammed his fist on the table.Fanone stated, "I remain grateful that none of Congress had to undergo the violent assault" on Jan. 6. He described the heroism displayed by his fellow officers as the "most inspirational moment" in his life.Fanone claimed that he considered using his firearm to attack attackers. But he knew that if he did, a rapid overwhelm would result. They would see that as a justification to kill me. I decided instead to appeal to their humanity.Daniel Hodges from D.C. was attacked by rioters while trying to repel them. He told lawmakers that he had feared being "lynched"."To my constant confusion, I saw the thin line blue flag as a symbol for support for law enforcement more times than once being carried in terrorists' disregard of our commands and continued to attack us," Hodges stated.Harry Dunn, Capitol Police officer, began his testimony by asking for a moment's silence in memory of Brian Sicknick (a fellow officer who was killed responding to the insurrection). In response, all lawmakers bowed their heads.Dunn, who was Black and shared the racial slurs used against him by rioters, asked the panel to look at the resources available to officers to "consider whether they're sufficient" to help them recover from January 6. Hodges, a white man, recalls rioters trying to recruit him. He then asked if he was their son.Kinzinger broke down as he said to the officers, "You guys won" during his battle against the rioters."We are defined by how we get back from bad days," Kinzinger, a veteran Air Force pilot, said. "How we hold ourselves accountable for this.Having resisted participation on the committee, most House Republicans tried to counter-program it instead.Steve Scalise, Minority Whip, stated that Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker, had cancelled the Republicans she had rejected from the committee. House Republicans want to be critical of Democrats, not the officers who responded on that day. However, other Republicans could impede their efforts.A group of more fiery House Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, (R-Ga.), planned to hold a press conference at the Justice Department on Tuesday to protest the treatment given to insurrection suspects.During a Tuesday conference meeting, Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs (chair of the far-right House Freedom Caucus) told GOP colleagues that he had introduced two resolutions targeting Pelosi, as well as Cheney, and Kinzinger.Biggs' first proposal would have a rule change to expel any GOP conference member who accepts a Democratic committee assignment. This language is directed at Cheney and Kinzinger who accepted to serve on the panel at Pelosi’s request.Another Biggs proposal would remove Pelosi as speaker, something the Freedom Caucus had telegraphed last Wednesday. The conference rules dictate that the resolutions are sent to the committee unless they have been offered by the GOP leader or a designee. Both are likely to fail without the support from Republican leadership.A few House Democrats who were not on the roster were present back in the hearing room. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D.Texas), watched the opening statements. Mary Gay Scanlon and Rep. Ann Kuster (D.N.H.) took their seats at the end.The panel members are still considering their next steps in investigative action. After this week, the House will be on its August recess. It could prove difficult for panel members to keep momentum once lawmakers have left Washington.They will have to decide if Trump or ex-Trump officials should be called as witnesses.Democrats waged bitter court battles against the Trump administration over the ability to execute congressional subpoenas of officials of the administration. However, the Biden-era Department of Justice informed former Trump administration officials Tuesday that they could testify before various committees investigating this attack.This report was contributed by Olivia Beavers, Maeve Heehey, and Nick Niedzwiadek.
