House Democrats' investigations into Trump's presidency have seen a sudden shift in the way they interview former Justice Department aides. This shift demonstrates the increasing importance of select committees work as they prepare for their next steps, with a spotlight on Chair Bennie Thomson (D-Miss.). The panels also included two anti-Trump Republicans: Reps. Liz Cheney from Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger from Illinois. House Democrats could prevent overlaps in their investigation into Trump's efforts to overturn the election by consolidating the probes.Not surprisingly, the shift in investigation did not seem to have an impact on the upper chamber. A spokesperson for the Senate Judiciary Committee said Thursday that the panel will begin to interview witnesses in its own inquiry this week. Senator Dick Durbin (D.Ill.), who chairs that panel, told POLITICO his committee would soon interview two Trump-era Justice Department officials.The House Oversight Committee did no immediate respond to a request to comment. Sources claim that the House Oversight Committee has cancelled plans to interview Jeff Rosen, former acting Attorney General, and Richard Donoghue, his former second in command. Interviews were scheduled for next week and this week. Instead, the select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 riots will question the men.In a closed-door interview, Patrick Hovakimian, a former senior counsel in the DOJ under Trump's administration, answered questions. This made the current shift even more obvious. A draft email Hovakimian sent to the Oversight committee announcing his resignation and Donoghue's dismissal of Rosen was also received by them. Trump did not fire Rosen. Hovakimian also never sent the email.This abrupt change occurred just a few hours following a statement by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, in which she lavished praise on Maloney.According to the statement, the Chairwoman's persistence in seeking the truth will greatly contribute to the investigation of the Select Committee for Investigating the January 6th Attack On the United States Capitol.Pelosi further emphasized Maloney's responsibilities, beyond overseeing the final days of Trump's presidency. She called her a champion in fighting the virus and exposing waste and abuse, among other priorities.Durbin, who was on MSNBC to promote the importance of his inquiry, announced that House-side investigative control had changed. Durbin also stated that his committee will seek interview with Bill Barr, the former Attorney General.Durbin stated on "Morning Joe" that there was "a lot of activity by Trump and his supporters to try to pressure the Department of Justice into supporting his bizarre 'big lie’ theories. Durbin stated that the committee would be interviewing key witnesses within the next few days as a first step to a bipartisan basis.The select committee has a smaller Republican presence than the Senate Judiciary and House Oversight. There are only two Republicans on the panel. It is not clear how many Republican aides will be there. However, Democratic leaders have stated that Cheney or Kinzinger will receive some staff allotment.The House Oversight interview would have allowed Republican staff to ask questions, but it is not clear if they will be allowed to do the same on the select committee. This could be a tactical disadvantage to the GOP.No matter how the panel arranges interviews with Trump-era witnesses it will ensure that any news they make is published later in the year than August, when most of Washington is away.Heather Caygle contributed to the report.
