ToplineThe House Oversight Committee will give interviews to former Trump Justice Department officials to an exclusive committee that is charged with investigating the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol. This allows the panel to examine Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election.After the hearing of the House select committee... [+] on the Jan. 6, attack on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) speaks to the media. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana). ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Key FactsForbes was informed by Carolyn Maloney, a Democratic member of the Oversight Committee. She stated in a statement that her panel would continue its critical oversight work with the select Committee exposing Trump's unconstitutional attacks against our democracy. Pelosi announced the move earlier Thursday. She praised Maloney's leadership in probing Trumps election scheme but also pointed out her work to expose fraud and waste and abuse. According to the Oversight Committee notes, Trump put pressure on Maloney to back his fraud claims and overturn the election. The Oversight Committee is comprised of 27 Democrats and 18 Republicans (15 of whom voted for decertifying Bidens electors), but the select committee only has seven Democrats, and only two Republicans: anti-Trump Reps. Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney (R.Wyo.). Forbes reached out to representatives for Pelosi (D-Miss.) and Rep. Bennie Thompson. For comment, please contact the chairperson of the select committee.TangentThe Oversight Committee's Republicans include Rep. Andrew Clyde (Republican from Georgia), who compared Jan. 6's riot to a tourist visit. Rep. Jim Jordan (Republican) was also on the committee, but Nancy Pelosi prevented her from being on it. In May, Democrats attempted to censure Rep. Jody Haice (R-Ga.) for claiming that it was Trump supporters who had lost their lives on Jan. 6, and not Trump supporters taking other lives.Important BackgroundPelosi blocked Jordan (R-Ind.), and Rep. Jim Banks. Pelosi blocked Jordan and Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) from serving on the select panel because of their disparaging statements about the panel. The panel was left with only one Republican, Cheney, whom Pelosi had also appointed with seven Democrats. Pelosi responded by appointing Kinzinger. Kinzinger is, like Cheney has been vocal Trump critic.Important Quote"We can't allow history to be rewritten. In a dig at Republicans who downplayed the attack, President Joe Biden stated that we cannot forget the heroism and sacrifice of these officers. He endorsed the mission of select committees and said, "We must understand what happened." The truth, the whole truth. It is necessary to confront it. This is what great nations do.
