By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Weeks of public hearings will begin soon as the U.S. Congress investigates the January 6th attack by Donald Trump supporters on Capitol Hill. The investigation will bring the probe into the limelight, just as the campaign intensifies for November’s elections.

The investigation into the most severe attack against Congress since the War of 1812 is mostly being conducted behind closed doors. More than 300 people were interviewed by the House of Representatives Select Committee Jan. 6. They spoke about Trump supporters who wanted to reverse his electoral defeat, and Trump’s responses to them.

Members of the committee are working feverishly to complete their tasks before Nov. 8 elections. Two Republicans and seven Democrats are aware that their efforts may be stopped if the Republicans take control of the House. Forecasters predict this to happen. The hearings may be covered by the media, which could lead to campaign material.

House Republican leadership refused to take part in the probe as about 55% of Republican voters https://www.reuters.com/world/us/georgia-governors-race-tests-trumps-stolen-election-claims-2021-12-20 now believe former President Trump’s claims that his defeat was the result of widespread fraud. Although multiple courts rejected this contention, it has sparked a new wave of state restrictions on voting.

The House probe is moving in parallel to the Justice Department’s prosecution https://tmsnrt.rs/3HyfyEg of about 725 accused rioters on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to conspiracy. About 165 persons have pleaded guilty so far to the charge of taking part in this attack. First trials are expected next month.

The House Committee warns that false voter fraud claims that fueled the violence also undermine faith in America’s democratic system.

At a hearing in Congress last month, Representative Bennie Thompson said that “our democracy was just inches away from collapse”. “We are determined to discover why, and we will share this information with the American people.”

“TO HELL and BACK”

The Select Committee was charged with investigating the incident and reporting back to Congress.

A source close to the investigation stated that the committee aims to release an interim and final report during the summer 2022.

Last month, Liz Cheney, a Republican Representative, stated that there will be multiple public hearings. She would explain in vivid color to the American people what occurred on January 6, 2011, here at Capitol Hill and the White House.

The only public hearing so far, held in July, featured testimony https://www.reuters.com/world/us/police-who-defended-us-capitol-testify-riot-probes-first-hearing-2021-07-27 from four police officers about the physical and verbal assaults they faced responding to Capitol riots.

Michael Fanone (then-District of Columbia officer) said that he felt like he had gone to Hell and back in order to defend the lawmakers. Fanone continued, “It is disgraceful that my colleagues are treated in such indifference,” and placed his hand on the witness tables.

According to the Justice Department, around 140 officers of police were attacked during the riot. According to the Justice Department, one officer killed in fighting rioters and four others who guarded Capitol died later from suicide. One of the rioters who tried to enter the building via a broken window was also killed by police.

A CRIMINAL REFERRAL

Trump has been an integral part of the work of the committee since its inception. That focus has intensified in recent weeks.

Cheney gave a reading of text messages that Trump supporters had sent to Mark Meadows during the Dec. 13 hearing. He pleaded with Meadows for his support and to stop the violence.

Cheney stated that the committee would like to question Meadows about: “Did Donald Trump corruptly attempt to block or hinder Congress’ official proceeding for counting electoral votes?”

Cheney was pointing to a specific statute — a felony in the U.S. criminal code — and suggesting Trump might have violated it.

The Justice Department ultimately will decide whether Trump should be charged, however, the committee may issue a “criminal referral”, increasing political pressure for Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Trump ally Steve Bannon was charged by the Justice Department with contempt of Congress, a misdemeanor crime. He had defied a Select Committee subpoena. Bannon has promised to contest the charges and said that there is a legitimate basis for him to refuse to testify.

Similar charges were recommended against two Trump allies by the committee.

Georgia’s state prosecutors are investigating Trump separately for allegedly attempting to influence election officials in order to alter the outcome of his vote.