welcome to this bbc news special, i'm jane o'brien in washington. in just a few minutes, the january 6th committee will kick off its eighth hearing into the events surrounding the storming of the us capitol. it will focus on the activities of then president donald trump — what he did and what he didn't do — and it will be broadcast to a prime time american audience. over the next two hours, committee members plan to lay out their case that mr trump was derelict in his duties as president during a period of 187 minutes.

that's the time between his speech to supporters outside the white house, to the moment he asked the rioters — who he called "very special" — to leave the capitol and go home. the committee has said it may hold additional hearings, but tonight will deliver the main argument that the president could have called off the assault, but chose not to do so. let's head straight to capitol hill, and our correspondent nomia iqbal. give us a sense of who we are going to hear tonight. who are the key witnesses? 50. the key witnesses? so, the committee _ the key witnesses? so, the committee hasn't - the key witnesses? so, the committee hasn't officially | committee hasn't officially confirmed those witnesses yet. they have been quiet, it's been interesting throughout the hearings, they been reluctant to confirm it straightaway because of security issues, but it has been widely supported that we are expected to hear from two very key people that were part of donald trump's administration, so the former national security deputy,

national security adviser and also the former deputy press secretary, sarah matthews, we have already seen clips of them throughout some of the hearings, pre—recorded evidence in the form of audio and video, but also we have seen some live testimonies. those are the two main people we are expected to hear from, main people we are expected to hearfrom, and main people we are expected to hear from, and they are key because both of them re—signed very quickly after those riots happened onjanuary very quickly after those riots happened on january the 6th. can you give us a sense of the highlights so far? just very briefly, what have been key moments?— briefly, what have been key moments? �* , , ., moments? so, it's been about six weeks _ moments? so, it's been about six weeks so — moments? so, it's been about six weeks so far— moments? so, it's been about six weeks so far of _ moments? so, it's been about six weeks so far of these - six weeks so far of these hearings, and what has been so interesting is the way that they have been presented as almost like an american drama, it's even been produced by former tb executive director, so the first hearing was prime time, this eighth hearing is on prime time, and it's almost being dubbed as a series finale. throughout the hearings, we have seen evidence from people that are close to donald trump, which has been

really interesting. he is called that a partisan witchhunt, the former attorney general, william barr, we have seen clips from his daughter, he found trump, as well. other members of his team, but he has taken effect, so he's not answering any of the questions. one of the key things that i think really stood out was testimony from a former aide, kassidy hatch and had portrayed how donald trump had tried to force a security detail to drive him to the capital to join the rioters. we will hear a little bit more about that as well today come as you mentioned, 187 minutes, that is key. mentioned, 187 minutes, that is ke. ., ~ mentioned, 187 minutes, that is ke . ., ~' , mentioned, 187 minutes, that is ke. . ~ , . mentioned, 187 minutes, that is ke. . , . ., key. thank you very much, and we will be _ key. thank you very much, and we will be coming _ key. thank you very much, and we will be coming back- key. thank you very much, and we will be coming back to - key. thank you very much, and we will be coming back to you | we will be coming back to you on capitol hill as we progress. before we go much further, just a note on the content of these hearings. we plan to take the event live and unedited. some viewers may find some language or content distressing. we apologise in advance, but feel its important to present these hearings in their entirety. throughout the evening,

i'll be joined by ron christie, former advisor to george w bush. and amanda renteria, former advisor to hillary clinton. welcome to you both. lovely to have you on the programme. what will you both be looking out for a specifically tonight? round, let's start with you. that evening to you. so here is what i'm looking at. we of the committee who has contracted covid, and i wish him all the best, but here is what is going to happen tonight. we are going to have the vice chairman committee, liz cheney, pretty much dabbling in and gambling out. so what is she as a conservative republican going to say is my quick testimony is she going to try to elicit from the witnesses? and i will say this to you, i don't think this is over. everyone has said this is over. everyone has said this is the final hearing, i think this is the final hearing for the summer. i think we will

come back in the fall, mark my words, this is not over yet. the committee has already said that it will be continuing investigations, so you are right there, it probably isn't over. amanda, what are you going to be looking out for? this is a hearing where it is time — this is a hearing where it is time to— this is a hearing where it is time to put all the different pieces together. we have now heard — pieces together. we have now heard from stakeholders, republican appointees who are staff areas at different times, we've — staff areas at different times, we've heard about outside groups. _ we've heard about outside groups, elected officials, how they— groups, elected officials, how they were called, and today is now, _ they were called, and today is now, what did trump do at the moment— now, what did trump do at the moment of truth when history was in — moment of truth when history was in his— moment of truth when history was in his hands? every single piece — was in his hands? every single piece of— was in his hands? every single piece ofjanuary six, he was right— piece ofjanuary six, he was right at_ piece ofjanuary six, he was right at the centre of it from being — right at the centre of it from being on— right at the centre of it from being on that stage, to then what — being on that stage, to then what did _ being on that stage, to then what did he do from the moments where _ what did he do from the moments where mike pence, from the moment_ where mike pence, from the moment where mike pence was supposed to speak, what role was he — supposed to speak, what role was he playing? today, that focus — was he playing? today, that focus on _ was he playing? today, that focus on those 187 minutes are now _ focus on those 187 minutes are now tying — focus on those 187 minutes are now tying it together. we know about— now tying it together. we know about the — now tying it together. we know about the complicated plan, but who was—

about the complicated plan, but who was in charge? what were they— who was in charge? what were they doing? what did the president of states steel when things— president of states steel when things were happening? we are seeing the witnesses take their seats, and the crowds gathering in the hearing room. photographs being taken. official photographs, that you will probably see when the newspapers carry their versions of this final committee hearing. there we can see liz cheney coming around the corner followed by adam kinzinger. they will be leading the evidence, the testimony taking, presenting the conclusions of the committee tonight. liz cheney is a republican, she has attracted a lot of opprobrium from herfellow attracted a lot of opprobrium from her fellow republicans for being part of this committee hearing. adam kinzinger is a

democrat, this is about as bipartisan as it gets, democrats vastly outnumber republicans, and they are about to start their hearing. very shortly we will be listening... liz cheney, let's listen in. good evening, earlier this week, _ good evening, earlier this week, i_ good evening, earlier this week, i received a positive covid — week, i received a positive covid diagnosis, i received the initial— covid diagnosis, i received the initial two _ covid diagnosis, i received the initial two shots, though far we — initial two shots, though far i've been— initial two shots, though far i've been blessed to experience a very— i've been blessed to experience a very minimal symptoms. because _ a very minimal symptoms. because i am still quarantined, i because i am still quarantined, i cannot— because i am still quarantined, i cannot participate in person with— i cannot participate in person with my— i cannot participate in person with my colleagues. i have asked _ with my colleagues. i have asked the vice chair ms cheney to oversee the hearings including maintaining order and hearing — including maintaining order and hearing our witnesses. over the last month _ hearing our witnesses. over the last month and a half, the

select— last month and a half, the select committee has told the story— select committee has told the story of— select committee has told the story of a president who did everything in his power to overturn— everything in his power to overturn an election. he lied, he bullied, he betrayed his oath — he bullied, he betrayed his oath he _ he bullied, he betrayed his oath. he tried to destroy our democratic institutions. he summoned a mob to washington. on summoned a mob to washington. 0njanuary— summoned a mob to washington. onjanuary 6th, he knew summoned a mob to washington. on january 6th, he knew that the assembly mob were armed and angry, he _ the assembly mob were armed and angry, he commanded them to go to the capital and he told them to the capital and he told them to fight— to the capital and he told them to fight like hell. in the weeks _ to fight like hell. in the weeks between november and january— weeks between november and january 6th, donald trump... inaudible. he recklessly blazed a path of

lawlessness, the cost of democracy be damned. and then he stopped. for 187 minutes on january 6th, this man of destructive energy could not be moved — destructive energy could not be moved by his aides, his allies, not moved by his aides, his allies, hot by the _ moved by his aides, his allies, not by the violence of the rioters _ not by the violence of the rioters or the desperate pleas of those — rioters or the desperate pleas of those facing down the riot. and _ of those facing down the riot. and more _ of those facing down the riot. and more tellingly, donald trump _ and more tellingly, donald trump ignored the desperate pleas— trump ignored the desperate pleas of— trump ignored the desperate pleas of his own family, including ivanka and donald junior~ _ including ivanka and donald junior. even though he was the only— junior. even though he was the only person in the world who could — only person in the world who could call— only person in the world who could call off the mob, that he sent— could call off the mob, that he sent to the capitol, he could not be moved derives from his dining — not be moved derives from his dining room table and walked down — dining room table and walked down the white house hallway into the — down the white house hallway into the press briefing room, where —

into the press briefing room, where cameras were anxiously and desperately waiting to carry— and desperately waiting to carry his message to the armed and violent mob savagely beating and killing law enforcement officers in the capitol. _ enforcement officers in the capitol, and hunting down the vice president and various members of congress. he could not be _ members of congress. he could not be moved. this evening, my colleagues — not be moved. this evening, my colleagues adam kinzinger and elaine — colleagues adam kinzinger and elaine luria will take you inside _ elaine luria will take you inside the white house during those — inside the white house during those 187 minutes. we also remind _ those 187 minutes. we also remind you of what was happening at the capitol, minute _ happening at the capitol, minute by minute, as the vioieht_ minute by minute, as the violent and tragic part of donald _ violent and tragic part of donald trump's scheme to cling to power— donald trump's scheme to cling to power unravelled while he ignored _ to power unravelled while he ignored his advisers, stood by and watched it unfold on television. let me offer a final thought of the select committee's work so far. as we

have _ committee's work so far. as we have made clear throughout these — have made clear throughout these hearings, our investigation goes forward. we continue — investigation goes forward. we continue to receive new information every day. we continue _ information every day. we continue to hear from witnesses. we will reconvene in september to continue laying out our— september to continue laying out our findings to the american people. but as that work— american people. but as that work goes forward, a number of facts _ work goes forward, a number of facts are — work goes forward, a number of facts are clear. there can be no doubt _ facts are clear. there can be no doubt that there was a co—ordinated, multistep effort to overturn an election overseen and directed by donald trumo — overseen and directed by donald trump. there can be no doubt that— trump. there can be no doubt that he — trump. there can be no doubt that he commanded a mob that he knew— that he commanded a mob that he knew was— that he commanded a mob that he knew was heavily armed, violent and angry— knew was heavily armed, violent and angry to march on the capital— and angry to march on the capital to try to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. and he may— peaceful transfer of power. and he may target out of his own vice — he may target out of his own vice president and the lawmakers gathered to do the people's work. these facts have gone _ people's work. these facts have gone undisputed, and so there

needs— gone undisputed, and so there needs to — gone undisputed, and so there needs to be accountability. accountability under the law. accountability under the law. accountability to the american people — accountability to the american people. accountability at every level from the local precincts in many _ level from the local precincts in many states where donald trump — in many states where donald trump and his allies attacked election— trump and his allies attacked election workersjust trump and his allies attacked election workers just doing their— election workers just doing their jobs, election workers just doing theirjobs, all the way up to theirjobs, all the way up to the oval— theirjobs, all the way up to the oval office, where donald trump — the oval office, where donald trump embraced legal advice of insurrectionists that a fellow judge — insurrectionists that a fellow judge has already said was a coup— judge has already said was a coup in— judge has already said was a coup in search of a legal theory~ _ coup in search of a legal theory. our democracy was attacked _ theory. our democracy was attacked onjanuary 6th. if there _ attacked onjanuary 6th. if there is— attacked onjanuary 6th. if there is no accountability for january— there is no accountability for january 6th, for every part of this— january 6th, for every part of this scheme, i fear that we will— this scheme, i fear that we will not _ this scheme, i fear that we will not overcome the ongoing threat — will not overcome the ongoing threat to— will not overcome the ongoing threat to our democracy. there must _ threat to our democracy. there must be — threat to our democracy. there must be stiff consequences for those — must be stiff consequences for those responsible. nowi must be stiff consequences for those responsible. now i will turn — those responsible. now i will turn things over to the vice chair to— turn things over to the vice chair to start telling this

story~ _ chair to start telling this sto . ~ ., chair to start telling this sto .~ ., . ., story. without ob'ection, the -residina story. without objection, the presiding officer... _ presiding officer... inaudible. inaudible. i announced that the committee has approved the release of the deposition material presented during today's hearing. let me begin tonight by wishing chairman thompson a rapid recovery from covid. he has expertly led us through eight hearings so far and he has brought us to the point we are today. the chairman and i described what ultimately became donald trump's seven part plan to overturn the 2020 presidential election. a plan stretching from before election day through january 6th. at the close of the hearing today, the ninth, we will have addressed each element of that plan. but in the course of these

hearings, we have received new evidence, and new witnesses have bravely stepped forward. efforts to litigate and overcome immunity and executive privilege claims have been successful, and those continue. doors have opened, new subpoenas have been issued, and the dam has begun to break. and now, even as we conduct our ninth hearing, we have considerably more to do. we have thoughts to share with the american people. our committee will spend august pursuing emerging information on multiple fronts before convening for further hearings in september. today we know more about the president's plans and actions to overturn the election than almost all members of congress did when president trump was impeached onjanuary and 13th 2021 or when he was tried by the senate in february of that year. 57

out of 100 the senators voted to convict president trump at that time, and more than 20 others said they were voting against conviction because the president's term had expired. at the time, the republican leader of the united states senate said this about donald trump. fix. senate said this about donald trum -. �* ., , senate said this about donald trum -. . ., , , senate said this about donald trum.�* , ., , trump. a mob. in his name. they were carrying _ trump. a mob. in his name. they were carrying his _ trump. a mob. in his name. they were carrying his banners. - were carrying his banners. chanting _ were carrying his banners. chanting his words and screaming their loyalty to him. inaudible. he was the only one. he reached the conclusion _ he was the only one. he reached the conclusion is _ he was the only one. he reached the conclusion is based - he was the only one. he reached the conclusion is based on - he was the only one. he reached the conclusion is based on what. the conclusion is based on what he knew. much more detailed

evidence you will see today... lawlessness and violence began at the capitol before 1pm and continued until well after darkness fell. what exactly was our commander—in—chief doing during the hours of violence? today we address precisely this issue. everything you have heard in these hearings will help you understand president trump's motives during the violence. you already know donald trump's goal. to halt or delay congress�* official proceedings to count certified electoral votes. we know he tried to pressure his vice president to illegally reject votes and delay the proceedings. we know he tried to convince officials and legislators to flip their electoral votes from biden to trump. and we know donald trump tried to corrupt the department ofjustice to aid his scheme. but byjanuary 6th,

ofjustice to aid his scheme. but by january 6th, none of that had worked. only one thing was succeeding on the afternoon of january 6th. only one was succeeding on the afternoon ofjanuary 6th. only one thing was achieving president trump�*s goal. the angry armed mob president trump sent to the capitol broke through security, invaded the capitol and forced the vote counting to stop. the mob was violent and destructive, and many came armed. as you will hear, secret service agents protecting the vice president were exceptionally concerned about his safety and their own. republican leader kevin mccarthy was scared. as were others in congress. those who themselves... inaudible. as you will see, president trump�*s white house staff, members of his own family, they begged him to intervene to condemn the violence and instruct his supporters to

stand down, leave the capitol and disperse. for stand down, leave the capitol and disperse.— and disperse. for multiple hours, and disperse. for multiple hours. he _ and disperse. for multiple hours, he would _ and disperse. for multiple hours, he would not. - and disperse. for multiple l hours, he would not. donald trump would not get on the phone and order the military or law enforcement agencies to help. and for hours, donald trump chose not to answer the pleas from congress, from his own party, and from all across our nation, to do what his oath required. he refused to defend our nation and our constitution. he refused to do what every american president must. in the days afterjanuary 6th, almost no one of any political party defended his conduct, and no one should do so today. thank you and i now recognise the from virginia. thank you, madam vice chair. article — thank you, madam vice chair. article two of our constitution requires — article two of our constitution requires the president swear a very— requires the president swear a very specific pledge every four

years — very specific pledge every four years to— very specific pledge every four years. to faithfully execute the office of president of the united — the office of president of the united states. to the best of their— united states. to the best of their ability, theirability, preserve, protect— theirability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the united states _ constitution of the united states. the president also has to take — states. the president also has to take care that our nation's laws — to take care that our nation's laws be — to take care that our nation's laws be faithfully executed. he is commander—in—chief of our military~ _ is commander—in—chief of our military. our hearings have shown the way that president trump — shown the way that president trump tried to stop the peaceful transfer of power on january — peaceful transfer of power on january 6th. with each step of his plan. — january 6th. with each step of his plan, he betrayed his oath of office — his plan, he betrayed his oath of office and was derelict in his duty _ of office and was derelict in his duty. tonight, we will further examine president trump's _ further examine president trump's actions on the day of the attack— trump's actions on the day of the attack on the capitol. early _ the attack on the capitol. early that afternoon, president trumom — trump... inaudible.

he knew a number of them were armed with various types of weapons. after telling the crowd _ weapons. after telling the crowd to march multiple times, he promised he would be with them — he promised he would be with them and finished his remarks walk down and i will be there with— walk down and i will be there with you _ walk down and i will be there with you. we will walk down, anywhere _ with you. we will walk down, anywhere you want but i think right— anywhere you want but i think right here, we will walk down to the — right here, we will walk down to the capitol. so, let's walk down — to the capitol. so, let's walk down pennsylvania avenue. vice president was in the capitol. _ vice president was in the capitol, the joint session certified joe biden 's victory and — certified joe biden 's victory and the _ certified joe biden 's victory and the proud boys had stormed through— and the proud boys had stormed through the first barriers. radio _ through the first barriers. radio communications from law enforcement inform secret service _ enforcement inform secret service and those of the white house — service and those of the white house situation room of these developments in real—time. at

the direction of president trump. _ the direction of president trump, thousands more rioters marched — trump, thousands more rioters marched through the ellipse to the capitol and they are joined the capitol and they are joined the attack. as you will see in great — the attack. as you will see in great detail tonight, president trump — great detail tonight, president trump was being advised by nearly— trump was being advised by nearly everyone to immediately instruct — nearly everyone to immediately instruct his supporters to leave _ instruct his supporters to leave the capitol, disperse and hold _ leave the capitol, disperse and hold the — leave the capitol, disperse and hold the violence. virtually everyone told president trump to condemn the violence, in clear— to condemn the violence, in clear and _ to condemn the violence, in clear and unmistakable terms and those on capitol hill and across— and those on capitol hill and across the nation bed president trump — across the nation bed president trump to— across the nation bed president trump to help. but the former president— trump to help. but the former president chose not to do what all those — president chose not to do what all those people begged. president chose not to do what allthose people begged. he refused to tell them what to leave — refused to tell them what to leave and to —— until 4.17 and when — leave and to —— until 4.17 and when he _ leave and to —— until 4.17 and when he tweeted out a video statement. when he tweeted out a video statement-— when he tweeted out a video statement. ., ., . ., statement. so go home. we love ou, ou statement. so go home. we love you. you are _ statement. so go home. we love you. you are very _ statement. so go home. we love you, you are very special, - statement. so go home. we love you, you are very special, you . you, you are very special, you have — you, you are very special, you have seen— you, you are very special, you have seen what _ you, you are very special, you have seen what happens - you, you are very special, you have seen what happens and. you, you are very special, you . have seen what happens and we see other— have seen what happens and we see other ways— have seen what happens and we see other ways of— have seen what happens and we see other ways of attachment . have seen what happens and wel see other ways of attachment we have _ see other ways of attachment we have seen — see other ways of attachment we have seen the _ see other ways of attachment we have seen the way— see other ways of attachment we have seen the way that _ see other ways of attachment we have seen the way that others i have seen the way that others are treated _ have seen the way that others are treated that _ have seen the way that others are treated that are _ have seen the way that others are treated that are so - have seen the way that others are treated that are so bad . have seen the way that othersl are treated that are so bad and so evil. —

are treated that are so bad and so evil. i— are treated that are so bad and so evil, i know— are treated that are so bad and so evil, i know how you - are treated that are so bad and so evil, i know how you feel. so evil, i know how you feel but — so evil, i know how you feel but go — so evil, i know how you feel but go home _ so evil, i know how you feel but go home and _ so evil, i know how you feel but go home and go- so evil, i know how you feel but go home and go home i so evil, i know how you feell but go home and go home in peace — but go home and go home in peace ezr— but go home and go home in eace. �* , . but go home and go home in eace. �* y ., ., but go home and go home in eace. j ., ., , , peace. by that time to pipe bombs had _ peace. by that time to pipe bombs had be _ peace. by that time to pipe bombs had be found - peace. by that time to pipe bombs had be found at - peace. by that time to pipe - bombs had be found at locations near _ bombs had be found at locations near the — bombs had be found at locations near the capitol including whether vice was conducting a meeting _ whether vice was conducting a meeting. hours of hand—to—hand combat _ meeting. hours of hand—to—hand combat seriously injured scores of law— combat seriously injured scores of law enforcement officers, the capitol had been invaded, the capitol had been invaded, the electoral count had been halted — the electoral count had been halted as members were evacuated, rioters took the floor — evacuated, rioters took the floor of _ evacuated, rioters took the floor of the senate, they've rifled — floor of the senate, they've rifled through desks and broke into offices and nearly caught up into offices and nearly caught up to— into offices and nearly caught up to vice _ into offices and nearly caught up to vice president pens. guns were _ up to vice president pens. guns were drawn on the house floor and a — were drawn on the house floor and a riot _ were drawn on the house floor and a riot was shot attempting to infiltrate the chamber. we know — to infiltrate the chamber. we know that a number of writers attempted acts of physical violence against specific elected officials. we know virtually all the rioters were motivated by president trump 's rhetoric— motivated by president trump 's rhetoric that the election had been — rhetoric that the election had been stolen and they felt they needed — been stolen and they felt they needed to take their country

back — needed to take their country back. this hearing is principally about what happened inside _ principally about what happened inside the white house that afternoon. from the time when president — afternoon. from the time when president trump ended his speech— president trump ended his speech until the moment when he finally— speech until the moment when he finally told the mob to go home _ finally told the mob to go home. a span of 187 minutes, more — home. a span of 187 minutes, more than _ home. a span of 187 minutes, more than three hours. what you will learn — more than three hours. what you will learn is — more than three hours. what you will learn is that president trump _ will learn is that president trump sat in his dining room and— trump sat in his dining room and watched the attack on television while his senior moe staff. _ television while his senior moe staff, closest advisers and family _ staff, closest advisers and family members begged him to do what is _ family members begged him to do what is expected of any american president. i served proudly— american president. i served proudly for 20 years as an officer— proudly for 20 years as an officer in— proudly for 20 years as an officer in the united states navy _ officer in the united states navy. veterans of our armed forces — navy. veterans of our armed forces know first—hand that the leadership that is required in a time — leadership that is required in a time of— leadership that is required in a time of christ since. urgent and _ a time of christ since. urgent and decisive action that puts duty— and decisive action that puts duty in— and decisive action that puts duty in country first. but on january— duty in country first. but on january 6. _ duty in country first. but on january 6, when lives and our democracy hung in the balance, president — democracy hung in the balance, president trump refused to act because — president trump refused to act because of a selfish desire to stay— because of a selfish desire to stay in — because of a selfish desire to stay in power. and i yield to

the gentleman from illinois, mr kinzinger. the gentleman from illinois, mr kinzinaer. ~' ., kinzinger. one week from the attack, kinzinger. one week from the attack. mccarthy _ kinzinger. one week from the | attack, mccarthy acknowledge the simple truth. president trump should have acted immediately to stop the violence. in our investigation, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff also remarked on the president�*s failure to act. was he what they had to say. act. was he what they had to sa . . . act. was he what they had to sa . , , , ., , say. the president bears responsibility _ say. the president bears responsibility for - say. the president bears - responsibility for wednesdays attack — responsibility for wednesdays attack on _ responsibility for wednesdays attack on congress _ responsibility for wednesdays attack on congress by - responsibility for wednesdays attack on congress by mob i attack on congress by mob rioters _ attack on congress by mob rioters he _ attack on congress by mob rioters. he should - attack on congress by mob rioters. he should have - rioters. he should have immediately— rioters. he should have| immediately denounced rioters. he should have - immediately denounced the mob when _ immediately denounced the mob when he — immediately denounced the mob when he saw— immediately denounced the mob when he saw what _ immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was _ immediately denounced the mob| when he saw what was unfolding. these _ when he saw what was unfolding. these facts — when he saw what was unfolding. these facts require _ when he saw what was unfolding. these facts require immediate i these facts require immediate action— these facts require immediate action of— these facts require immediate action of president _ these facts require immediate action of president trump. - these facts require immediatel action of president trump. you are the commander— action of president trump. you are the commander in - action of president trump. are the commander in chief. action of president trumpm are the commander in chief. you have _ are the commander in chief. you have an — are the commander in chief. you have an assault on the capitol of the — have an assault on the capitol of the united states of america. nothing. no call, nothing. _ america. nothing. no call, nothing, zero.—

nothing, zero. like my colleague _ nothing, zero. like my colleague from - nothing, zero. like my| colleague from virginia nothing, zero. like my. colleague from virginia i nothing, zero. like my- colleague from virginia i am a veteran, i served colleague from virginia i am a veteran, iserved in colleague from virginia i am a veteran, i served in the air force and i currently serve in the air national guard. i can tell you that general millie�*s reaction to president trump �*s conduct is 100% correct and so was leader mccarthy�*s. what explains president trump �*s behaviour? why did he not take immediate action in a time of crisis? because president trump . s crisis? because president trump �*s planned forjanuary 6 was to halt or delay congress�*s official proceeding to count the votes. the mob attacked the capitol, the mob attacking the capitol, the mob attacking the capitol quickly because the evacuation of both the house and the senate. the count ground to an absolute hold and was ultimately delayed for hours the mob was accomplishing president trump �*s purpose so, of course, he did not intervene. i want to be clear, by the end of this hearing. president trump did not fail to act during the 187 minutes between leaving the ellipse and

telling the mob to go home. he chose not to act. but there were hundreds that day who honour their oath and put their lives on the line to protect the people inside the capitol to safeguard our democracy. many of them are here tonight with us and many more are watching from home. as you already know, we will see again tonight their service and sacrifice shines a bright light on president trump �*s dishonour and dereliction of duty. i yield to the vice—chair. and dereliction of duty. i yield to the vice-chair. thank ou yield to the vice-chair. thank you very _ yield to the vice-chair. thank you very much _ yield to the vice-chair. thank you very much mr— yield to the vice-chair. thank you very much mr kinzinger. | yield to the vice-chair. thank| you very much mr kinzinger. i want to begin by welcoming our witnesses this evening. tonight we are joined witnesses this evening. tonight we arejoined by witnesses this evening. tonight we are joined by mr matthew pottinger, a decorated former marine intelligence officer who served this nation onto as of duty in afghanistan and iraqi. he served in the trump white house on the first day of the administration through the early morning hours of january seven, 2021. the last role in

which he served in the white house was as deputy national security adviser to the president of the united states. we are alsojoined president of the united states. we are also joined by sarah matthews. ms matthews began her career in communications working on capitol hill, serving on the republican staff have several health committees. she then worked as deputy press secretary for president trump �*s re—election campaign before joining the trump were white houseinjune joining the trump were white house injune 2020. she served there as deputy press secretary and special assistant to the president until the evening of january 6 2021. i will now swear in our witnesses. the witnesses will please stand and raise their right hands. do you swear or affirm under penalty of perjury that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god? thank you. you may be

seated and let the record reflect that the witnesses answered in the affirmative. thank you both again for being here tonight. mr pottinger, thank you for your service to the nation as well is for joining us this evening. can you please briefly explain what your responsibilities were as deputy national security adviser to the president? thank ou adviser to the president? thank you madame — adviser to the president? thank you madame vice-chair. - adviser to the president? thank you madame vice-chair. when i j you madame vice—chair. when i started at the white house i was a senior director for asia on the national security council staff so that was a job that involved helping co—ordinate the president�*s �*s asia policy, isupported co—ordinate the president�*s �*s asia policy, i supported the president when he met or interacted with asian leaders. later, 2019, iwas interacted with asian leaders. later, 2019, i was promoted to thejob of deputy later, 2019, i was promoted to the job of deputy national security adviser and in that role i was the chairman of the deputy�*s committee, that is an nsc meeting of all deputy cabinet secretaries. we would

settle important matters of national policy related to our national policy related to our national security and we would also tee—up options for the president and for his cabinet members. it was, ifelt then president and for his cabinet members. it was, i felt then as i do now that it was a privilege to serve in the white house and i am also very proud of president trump �*s foreign—policy accomplishments. we were able to finally compete with china. we were also able to broker peace agreements between israel and three arab states and those are some examples of the type of policies that i think made our country safer.— policies that i think made our country safer. thank you. and where you _ country safer. thank you. and where you and _ country safer. thank you. and where you and the _ country safer. thank you. and where you and the white - country safer. thank you. and i where you and the white house during the attack on the capitol on january during the attack on the capitol onjanuary 6? for during the attack on the capitol on january 6? for most ofthe capitol on january 6? for most of the day _ capitol on january 6? for most of the day i — capitol on january 6? for most of the day i was _ capitol on january 6? for most of the day i was in _ capitol on january 6? for most of the day i was in the - capitol on january 6? for most of the day i was in the white . of the day i was in the white house although when the president was speaking at the rally i was actually off site at a scheduled meeting with india�*s ambassador to the notice states. united states.

the national 0 security staff was not involved in organising the security for what was a domestic event, the rally, but i did return to white house roughly 230 p.m.. i did return to white house roughly 230 p.m. .- i did return to white house roughly 230 p.m.. and i know my colleagues _ roughly 230 p.m.. and i know my colleagues will _ roughly 230 p.m.. and i know my colleagues will have _ roughly 230 p.m.. and i know my colleagues will have additional. colleagues will have additional questions for you about that afternoon. let me turn out to you, ms matthews. how did you come tojoin president you, ms matthews. how did you come to join president trump �*s white house staff? come to join president trump 's white house staff?— white house staff? thank you, madam vice-chair. _ white house staff? thank you, madam vice-chair. as - white house staff? thank you, madam vice-chair. as you - madam vice—chair. as you outlined _ madam vice—chair. as you outlined i_ madam vice—chair. as you outlined i am a lifelong republican and ijoined the trump _ republican and ijoined the trump re—election campaign in june _ trump re—election campaign in june 2019 _ trump re—election campaign in june 2019 i was one of the first— june 2019 i was one of the first communication staff is actually— first communication staff is actually on—board for his re—election campaign and during that time — re—election campaign and during that time i— re—election campaign and during that time i travelled all around _ that time i travelled all around the country and met kaylee _ around the country and met kaylee macadamia who was also working — kaylee macadamia who was also working on the re—election campaign. i worked there for a year— campaign. i worked there for a year and — campaign. i worked there for a year and i_ campaign. i worked there for a year and i formed a close relationship with her and she moved — relationship with her and she moved over to the white house in april— moved over to the white house in april 2020 two start as white _ in april 2020 two start as white house press secretary and

she brought over a group of campaign safe —— campaign stuff with her— campaign safe —— campaign stuff with her so— campaign safe —— campaign stuff with her so ijoined her there injune — with her so ijoined her there injune 2022 start with her so ijoined her there in june 2022 start as with her so ijoined her there injune 2022 start as her deputy _ injune 2022 start as her deputy. and were you at work at the white — deputy. and were you at work at the white house onjanuary 6? yes. _ the white house onjanuary 6? yes. i— the white house onjanuary 6? yes. i was _ the white house onjanuary 6? yes, i was working out of the west— yes, i was working out of the west wing on that day. and thou . h i west wing on that day. and though i want _ west wing on that day. and though i want to _ west wing on that day. fific though i want to recognise the gentleman from virginia and the gentleman from virginia and the gentleman from virginia and the gentleman from illinois.- gentleman from illinois. thank ou gentleman from illinois. thank you madame — gentleman from illinois. thank you madame vice-chair. - gentleman from illinois. thank you madame vice-chair. as - gentleman from illinois. thank| you madame vice-chair. as you you madame vice—chair. as you have seen in our prior hearings, president trump summoned the mob to dc on january 6. for he went on stage he knew some of them were armed and prepared for combat. during his speech he implored them too much to the capitol as he had always planned to do. by the time he walked off the stage supporters had already breached the outer perimeter of the capitol at the foot of capitol hill. since our last hearings we have received new testimony from a security professional working in the white house

complex onjanuary 6, with access to relevant information and responsibility to report to national security officials. list security official told us that the white house was aware of multiple reports of weapons in the crowd that morning and we as a committee are cognisant of the fear of retribution expressed by certain national security witnesses who came forward to tell the truth. we have there for taken steps to protect this individual�*s identity. listen to this clip from the testimony. .

even though he understood many of his supporters were armed, the president was still adamant to go to the capitol when he got off the stage. but he secret service detail was equally determined to not let him go. that led to a heated argument with the detail that delayed the departure of the motorcade to the white house. we have evidence from multiple sources regarding an angry

exchange in the presidential suv including testimony we will disclose today from two witnesses who confirmed that a confrontation occurred. the first witness is a former white house employee with national security responsibilities and after seeing the initial violence at the capitol on tv the individual went to see tony renato, the deputy teeth of staff in his office. he was there with bobby ingle, the present�*s lead secret service agent. this employee told us that mr renato said the president was, quote, i rate when he was refused to be driven to the capitol. mr ingle did not refute the statement. second witness retired sergeant mark robinson of the dc police department was assigned to the presidents motorcade that day. he sat in the lead vehicle with the secret service agent responsible for the motorcade, also called�*s agent. here is how sergeant robinson remembered the exchange. mas

remembered the exchange. was there any description of what was occurring in the car? no. the only _ was occurring in the car? no. the only description - was occurring in the car? no. the only description i - was occurring in the car? no. the only description i received was that— the only description i received was that the _ the only description i received was that the president - the only description i received was that the president was - was that the president was upset _ was that the president was upset and _ was that the president was upset and was _ was that the president was upset and was adamant. was that the president was i upset and was adamant about going — upset and was adamant about going to — upset and was adamant about going to the _ upset and was adamant about going to the capitol— upset and was adamant about going to the capitol and - upset and was adamant about going to the capitol and there was a — going to the capitol and there was a heated _ going to the capitol and there was a heated discussion - going to the capitol and there | was a heated discussion about that — was a heated discussion about that. �* , ., was a heated discussion about that. �* i. ., that. and when you say heated is that your _ that. and when you say heated is that your word _ that. and when you say heated is that your word or _ that. and when you say heated is that your word or the - that. and when you say heated is that your word or the word i is that your word or the word described _ is that your word or the word described by the ts agent? as described by the ts agent? as described by the ts agent? as described by the ts agent. that the president— described by the ts agent. that the president was _ described by the ts agent. that the president was upset - described by the ts agent. that the president was upset and - described by the ts agent. that the president was upset and he| the president was upset and he was saying _ the president was upset and he was saying there _ the president was upset and he was saying there was _ the president was upset and he was saying there was a - the president was upset and he was saying there was a heated i was saying there was a heated argument _ was saying there was a heated argument or— was saying there was a heated argument or discussion - was saying there was a heated argument or discussion aboutl argument or discussion about going — argument or discussion about going to _ argument or discussion about going to the _ argument or discussion about going to the capitol. - argument or discussion about going to the capitol. how- argument or discussion about going to the capitol. how many times would — going to the capitol. how many times would you _ going to the capitol. how many times would you say _ going to the capitol. how many times would you say you - going to the capitol. how many times would you say you had i times would you say you had been part of that probably 100 times. and have ou ever probably 100 times. and have you ever witnessed _ probably 100 times. and have you ever witnessed another i you ever witnessed another argument or heated discussion

where the president was contradicting where he was supposed to go or what the secret service recommended? no. the sergeant also testified that he was aware other individuals in the crowd were armed. . . . individuals in the crowd were armed. , ., ., armed. yes, i was monitoring the traffic. — armed. yes, i was monitoring the traffic, so _ armed. yes, i was monitoring the traffic, so i _ armed. yes, i was monitoring the traffic, so i could - armed. yes, i was monitoring the traffic, so i could hear - the traffic, so i could hear some of the units pointing out individuals along constitution avenue that were armed, up in the trees... i could hear the units responding to those individuals. there is always a concern in the area.- individuals. there is always a concern in the area. like other witnesses. _ concern in the area. like other witnesses, sergeant _ concern in the area. like other witnesses, sergeant robinson| witnesses, sergeant robinson told us that the president still wanted to travel to the capitol even after returning to the white house. 50 capitol even after returning to the white house.— capitol even after returning to the white house. so at the end

ofthe the white house. so at the end of the speech. _ the white house. so at the end of the speech, what _ the white house. so at the end of the speech, what was - the white house. so at the end of the speech, what was the . of the speech, what was the plan — of the speech, what was the plan supposed to be? at of the speech, what was the plan supposed to be? at the end ofthe plan supposed to be? at the end of the speech. — plan supposed to be? at the end of the speech, we _ plan supposed to be? at the end of the speech, we know - plan supposed to be? at the end of the speech, we know that - of the speech, we know that while inside the limo, the president was still adamant about going to the capitol, which was related to me by the agent. we responded back to the white house. however, the motorcade was placed on standby. we were told to stand by until they confirmed whether or not the president was going to go to the capitol. i would estimate we waited 45 minutes to an hour. waiting for the secret service to make that decision. secret service to make that decision-— secret service to make that decision. ., ., .., ., decision. the motorcade waited at the white — decision. the motorcade waited at the white house _ decision. the motorcade waited at the white house for - decision. the motorcade waited at the white house for more . at the white house for more than 45 minutes before being released. the committee is also aware that accounts of the

angry confrontation in the presidential suv had circulated widely among the secret service since january 6th. recent disclosures have also caused the committee to subpoena further information from the secret service, which we have begun to receive and will continue to assess. the committee is also aware that certain secret service witnesses have now retained new private counsel. we anticipate further testimony under oath and other new information in the coming weeks. after the secret service refused to take president trump to the capitol, he returned to the white house. what you see on the screen is a photo of him inside the oval office immediately after he returned from the rally, still wearing his overcoat. a white house employee informed the president, as soon as he returned to the oval, about the light in the capital. let me repeat that. within 15 minutes

of leaving the stage, president trump knew that the capitol was besieged and under attack. president trump shortly went to the dining room of the private oval office. from 1:25pm until four o�*clock, the president stayed in his dining room. to give you a sense of where the dining room is situated in the west wing, let�*s take a look at the floor plan. the dining room is connected to the oval office by a short hallway. witnesses told us that onjanuary 6th, president trump sat in his usual spot, at the head of a table facing a television hanging the wall. we know from the employee that this tv was tuned to fox news all afternoon. you can see fox news show in coverage of the joint session that was airing that day at 1:25pm. other witnesses confirmed president trump was in the dining room with the tv on for more than two and a half

hours. no official record of what president trump did while in the dining room. on the screen, the presidential call logs from january 6th. as you can see, there is no official record or president trump receiving or placing a call between 11.06 and 6.54. as to what the president was doing that afternoon, the presidential daily diary is also silent. it contains no information from the period between 1.21 and 4.03. there were also no photos of president trump during this critical period between 1.21 in the oval office and when he went outside to the rose garden after four o�*clock. went outside to the rose garden afterfour o�*clock. the went outside to the rose garden after four o�*clock. the chief white house photographer wanted to take pictures because it was, in herwords, to take pictures because it was, in her words, very important for his archives and for history, but she was told, quote, no photographs. despite the lack of photos or an official record, we have learned what president trump was doing while he was watching tv in the dining room. but

before we get into that, it�*s important to understand what he never did that day. pare important to understand what he never did that day.— never did that day. are you aware of — never did that day. are you aware of any _ never did that day. are you aware of any phone - never did that day. are you aware of any phone call- never did that day. are you aware of any phone call by| never did that day. are you i aware of any phone call by the president of the united states to the secretary of defence that day?— to the secretary of defence that da ? ., ., ., ., ., that day? not that i am aware of. an that day? not that i am aware of- any phone _ that day? not that i am aware of. any phone call— that day? not that i am aware of. any phone call to - that day? not that i am aware of. any phone call to the - of. any phone call to the attorney _ of. any phone call to the attorney general? - of. any phone call to the attorney general? no. l of. any phone call to the - attorney general? no. homeland security? attorney general? no. homeland securi ? ., attorney general? no. homeland security? ha. did you heara security? no. did you hear a reauest security? no. did you hear a request for— security? no. did you hear a request for a _ security? no. did you hear a request for a law _ security? no. did you heara request for a law enforcement response? _ request for a law enforcement response?— request for a law enforcement response? h0. as _ request for a law enforcement response? h0. as someone . response? no. as someone workinu response? no. as someone working in _ response?- as someone working in national- response?- as someone| working in national security, if there _ working in national security, if there were _ working in national security, if there were to _ working in national security, if there were to be - working in national security, if there were to be troops i if there were to be troops present— if there were to be troops present for— if there were to be troops present for a _ if there were to be troops present for a rally - if there were to be troops present for a rally in i present for a rally in washington, - present for a rally in washington, is i present for a rally in washington, is thatl present for a rally in _ washington, is that something you would _ washington, is that something you would have _ washington, is that something you would have been - washington, is that something you would have been aware i washington, is that something i you would have been aware of? yes _ you would have been aware of? yes. , ., you would have been aware of? yes. i. ,, ., .,

yes. do you know if he asked an bod yes. do you know if he asked anybody to — yes. do you know if he asked anybody to reach _ yes. do you know if he asked anybody to reach out - yes. do you know if he asked anybody to reach out to i yes. do you know if he asked anybody to reach out to the l anybody to reach out to the national _ anybody to reach out to the national guard, _ anybody to reach out to the national guard, fbi, - anybody to reach out to the i national guard, fbi, homeland security. — national guard, fbi, homeland security, secret _ national guard, fbi, homeland security, secret service, - security, secret service, capitol _ security, secret service, capitol police, _ security, secret service, capitol police, about i security, secret service, capitol police, about the situation _ capitol police, about the situation in _ capitol police, about the situation in the - capitol police, about the situation in the capitol? | capitol police, about the i situation in the capitol? i’m“ situation in the capitol? i'm not aware — situation in the capitol? i'm not aware of _ situation in the capitol? i'm not aware of any _ situation in the capitol? i'm not aware of any of - situation in the capitol? not aware of any of those requests, no sir.- requests, no sir. we have confirmed _ requests, no sir. we have confirmed in _ requests, no sir. we have confirmed in numerous i confirmed in numerous interviews with officials, none of them, not one heard from president trump that day. he did not call to issue orders, he did not call to offer assistance. this week we received additional testimony from yet another witness about why the president didn't make any efforts to quell the attack. the former white house employee with national security responsibilities told us about a conversation that the senior adviser had with the top white house lawyer, about a pending

call from the pentagon seeking to co—ordinate on the response to co—ordinate on the response to the attack. the adviser turned to the lawyer and said, the president didn't want to do anything. so he had to take the call himself. if president trump was not calling law enforcement or military leaders, what did president trump spend his time doing that afternoon when he first settled into the dining room? he was calling senators to encourage them to delay or reject certification. here is his press secretary to explain. he wanted a _ press secretary to explain. he: wanted a list of senators and he is calling them one by one. which one is he call? i he is calling them one by one. which one is he call?— which one is he call? i don't recall. which one is he call? i don't recall- he — which one is he call? i don't recall. he wanted _ which one is he call? i don't recall. he wanted a - which one is he call? i don't recall. he wanted a list - which one is he call? i don't recall. he wanted a list of. recall. he wanted a list of senators _ recall. he wanted a list of senators and i left them at that — senators and i left them at that point. senators and i left them at that point-— that point. because the presidential _ that point. because the presidential call - that point. because the presidential call log - that point. because the presidential call log is i that point. because the - presidential call log is empty, we don't know precisely which

senators president trump was calling. but we do know from rudy giuliani's records that the president also called him at 1.39, after he had been told the riot was under way at the capitol. rudy giuliani was president trump a's capitol. rudy giuliani was president trump as lead election attorney. according to the phone records, the call lasted approximately four minutes. fox news was on in the dining room, let's look at what was airing as the call was ending. was airing as the call was endinu. , , ., , ending. the president, as we all saw, fired _ ending. the president, as we all saw, fired up _ ending. the president, as we all saw, fired up this - ending. the president, as we all saw, fired up this crowd, l all saw, fired up this crowd, they were tens of and, maybe 100,000, down at the capitol or elsewhere in the city and they are very upset. —— tens of thousands. the news that brett gave you about mike pence, i said, what do you think? an air force veteran from missouri said she was... inaudible. that was his duty to do

something. i said there was nothing in the constitution that vice president pence could do, she said, that doesn't matter. he should have fought for trump. that matter. he should have fought for trump-— for trump. at 1.49, this is what was _ for trump. at 1.49, this is what was happening - for trump. at 1.49, this is what was happening at. for trump. at 1.49, this is| what was happening at the capitol, was president trump's fired up supporters. we re were going to try and get compliance, but this is now effectively a riot.— compliance, but this is now effectively a riot. declaring a riot... what did president trump do at 1.49? as the dc police at the same time were declaring a riot at the capitol? as you can see on the screen, he tweeted out a link to the recording of his speech. this was the same speech. this was the same speech in which he knowingly sent an armed mob to the

capitol. president trump made no comment about the lawlessness and the violence. i yield to the gentleman from illinois. .. ., illinois. the next action president _ illinois. the next action president trump - illinois. the next action president trump took l illinois. the next action i president trump took was illinois. the next action - president trump took was to tweet at 2.24. what happened during a 35 minutes between his tweet at 1.49 and 2.24? is it starter repeatedly came into the room to see him and plead that he made a strong public statement condemning the violence, and instructing the mob to leave the capitol. —— is starter repeatedly came into the room. when he went out to the room. when he went out to the loews garden... pat was a top white house lawyer, this was his reaction to seeing the violence and his advice throughout the afternoon. —— the loews garden.

inaudible. inaudible. ifirst realised on inaudible. i first realised on television or it — i first realised on television or it may— i first realised on television or it may have been... inaudible. inaudible. ifound out inaudible. i found out people were not in the capitol yet but they were massed _ the capitol yet but they were massed in washington, then i was aware. inaudible question. inaudible question. i was pretty clear that an immediate forceful public response statement, that people need _ response statement, that people need to— response statement, that people need to leave the capitol. they were pushing for a strong statement that people should leave the capitol, is that right? inaudible. you said you express your opinion— you said you express your opinion forcefully, - you said you express your opinion forcefully, could l you said you express your. opinion forcefully, could you tell opinion forcefully, could you tett us— opinion forcefully, could you tett us how— opinion forcefully, could you tell us how you _ opinion forcefully, could you tell us how you did - opinion forcefully, could you

tell us how you did that? - opinion forcefully, could you tell us how you did that? on the tell us how you did that? the privilege issue, i can't the privilege issue, ican't talk— the privilege issue, i can't talk about conversations with the president, but generically, ican— the president, but generically, i can say— the president, but generically, i can say that i said, people need — i can say that i said, people need to— i can say that i said, people need to be told, there needs to be need to be told, there needs to he a _ need to be told, there needs to be a public announcement, fast, that they— be a public announcement, fast, that they need to leave the capitot _ that they need to leave the ca - itol. . that they need to leave the caitol. . .., ,., that they need to leave the caitol. . , capitol. pat, could you let us know approximately - capitol. pat, could you let us know approximately when i capitol. pat, could you let us| know approximately when you said that? _ know approximately when you said that? �* .,, ., , said that? almost immediately after i found _ said that? almost immediately after i found that _ said that? almost immediately after i found that people i said that? almost immediately after i found that people were | after i found that people were getting — after i found that people were getting into the capitol or approaching the capitol in a way— approaching the capitol in a way that— approaching the capitol in a way that was violent. do you remember — way that was violent. do you remember any _ way that was violent. do you remember any discussions i way that was violent. do you i remember any discussions with mark meadows? was their resistance to wanting to say something? to resistance to wanting to say something?— resistance to wanting to say somethinu? ., , . ., ., , something? to be clear, many --eole something? to be clear, many people suggested _ something? to be clear, many people suggested it. _ something? to be clear, many people suggested it. not i something? to be clear, many people suggested it. notjustl people suggested it. notjust me, — people suggested it. notjust me, many people felt the same way~ _

me, many people felt the same wax in — me, many people felt the same way. i'm sure i had conversations with mark about this on— conversations with mark about this on the day, and expressed my opinion very forcefully. so our my opinion very forcefully. your advice my opinion very forcefully. if your advice was, my opinion very forcefully. 5r your advice was, tell people to leave the capitol, and it took over two hours? did you continue throughout the period “p continue throughout the period up until 4.17, to push for a stronger statement?- up until 4.17, to push for a stronger statement? yes. were ou stronger statement? yes. were you joined — stronger statement? yes. were you joined in — stronger statement? yes. were you joined in that _ stronger statement? yes. were you joined in that effort by ivanka trump, jared kushner, mark meadows?— ivanka trump, jared kushner, mark meadows? yes. i'm confident _ mark meadows? yes. i'm confident ivanka - mark meadows? yes. i'm confident ivanka trump i mark meadows? yes. i'm confident ivanka trump wanted there _ confident ivanka trump wanted there to — confident ivanka trump wanted there to he _ confident ivanka trump wanted there to he a _ confident ivanka trump wanted there to be a strong _ confident ivanka trump wanted there to be a strong statementj there to be a strong statement took— there to be a strong statement took in — there to be a strong statement took in condemn— there to be a strong statement took in condemn the _ there to be a strong statement took in condemn the rioters. i i took in condemn the rioters. i don't — took in condemn the rioters. i don't know— took in condemn the rioters. i don't know about _ took in condemn the rioters. i don't know about her- took in condemn the rioters. i don't know about her private i

don't know about her private conversations _ don't know about her private conversations but _ don't know about her private conversations but she - don't know about her private conversations but she camel don't know about her private i conversations but she came into the office — conversations but she came into the office i— conversations but she came into the office i remember, - conversations but she came into the office i remember, to - conversations but she came into the office i remember, to see i the office i remember, to see the office i remember, to see the chief— the office i remember, to see the chief of— the office i remember, to see the chief of staff— the office i remember, to see the chief of staff office, - the office i remember, to see the chief of staff office, she l the chief of staff office, she was — the chief of staff office, she was talking _ the chief of staff office, she was talking about _ the chief of staff office, she was talking about the - the chief of staff office, she i was talking about the speech i'm was talking about the speech in trying _ was talking about the speech in trying to _ was talking about the speech in trying to get _ was talking about the speech i'm trying to get her- was talking about the speech i'm trying to get her dad i was talking about the speech i'm trying to get her dad on i i'm trying to get her dad on board — i'm trying to get her dad on board with _ i'm trying to get her dad on board with saying _ i'm trying to get her dad oni board with saying something that was— board with saying something that was more _ board with saying something that was more direct - board with saying something that was more direct than i board with saying something j that was more direct than he had — that was more direct than he had wanted _ that was more direct than he had wanted to _ that was more direct than he had wanted to at _ that was more direct than he had wanted to at the - that was more direct than he had wanted to at the time, l that was more direct than he i had wanted to at the time, and throughout— had wanted to at the time, and throughout the _ had wanted to at the time, and throughout the afternoon. i i throughout the afternoon. remember mark getting throughout the afternoon._ remember mark getting ivanka involved, because he thought that would be important. i don't _ that would be important. i don't thinkjared was there... remember thinking it was important to get him there too. and pat— important to get him there too. and pat philbin was expressing the same things. pat, as i said. _ the same things. pat, as i said. i_ the same things. pat, as i said, i don't think there was a meeting. _ said, i don't think there was a meeting, there might have been,

but with— meeting, there might have been, but with both that is the testimony of casey hutchinson and she also told us about— hutchinson and she also told us about the — hutchinson and she also told us about the chance to hang mike pence — about the chance to hang mike pence. ., ., , pence. conversations were recalled — pence. conversations were recalled about _ pence. conversations were recalled about those i pence. conversations were | recalled about those chance pence. conversations were i recalled about those chance in the west wing and he relied on executive privilege to maintain confidentiality over his and others' direct communications with the president. although mr maloney was unwilling to provide more detail, ms hutchinson provided more explicit information to fill in those blanks. it explicit information to fill in those blanks.— those blanks. it wasn't until mark hung _ those blanks. it wasn't until mark hung up _ those blanks. it wasn't until mark hung up the _ those blanks. it wasn't until mark hung up the phone i those blanks. it wasn't until| mark hung up the phone and handed it back to me and i went back to my desk. a few minutes later and came back possibly with jared kushner but i am confident that he was there. i

remember pat saying something to the effect of market, we need to do something more. there i —— they are literally calling for the vice president to be bleep hung. and he responded something to the effect of you heard it, pat, he does not think they are doing anything wrong he thinks the vice president deserves it. and he briefly stepped into mark's office. , . , ,. ,, ., office. during any discussion at any point _ office. during any discussion at any point during - office. during any discussion at any point during the i office. during any discussion at any point during the day l at any point during the day about riders that the capitol chanting hang mike pence? yes. i chanting hang mike pence? yes. i remember— chanting hang mike pence? yes. i remember hearing _ chanting hang mike pence? yes. i remember hearing that, about that _ i remember hearing that, about that i_ i remember hearing that, about that i did — i remember hearing that, about that. i did not observe that myself _ that. i did not observe that m self. �* . ., , ., that. i did not observe that mself. �* . ., , ., myself. i'm curious, what can ou myself. i'm curious, what can you share _ myself. i'm curious, what can you share with _ myself. i'm curious, what can you share with us _ myself. i'm curious, what can you share with us about i myself. i'm curious, what can you share with us about the l you share with us about the discussion about the chance to hang mike pence? this ——

chants. i hang mike pence? this -- chants. , ., , chants. i can tell you my view. yes, chants. i can tell you my view. yes. please- _ chants. i can tell you my view. yes, please. my— chants. i can tell you my view. yes, please. my view- chants. i can tell you my view. yes, please. my view is i chants. i can tell you my view. yes, please. my view is that i yes, please. my view is that that— yes, please. my view is that that is— yes, please. my view is that that is outrageous and for anyone _ that is outrageous and for anyone to suggest such a thing, for people in the crowd to be chanting _ for people in the crowd to be chanting that i thought it was terrible. _ chanting that i thought it was terrible, i thought it was outrageously wrong and i express that clearly. in regards _ express that clearly. in regards to _ express that clearly. in regards to your conversations with mr meadows did you raise concern over the vice president and how did he respond? i and how did he respond? i believe they raised a concern about — believe they raised a concern about the vice president and again— about the vice president and again the nature of his response was people were all that they could. find response was people were all that they could.— response was people were all that they could. and what about the president. _ that they could. and what about the president. did _ that they could. and what about the president. did he _ that they could. and what about the president. did he indicate i the president. did he indicate if the president was doing...

inaudible. i if the president was doing... inaudible.— inaudible. i am being instructed. . .. - inaudible. i am being instructed.... in i inaudible. | am being i instructed. . .. in addition, inaudible. | am being - instructed.... in addition, mr cipollone _ instructed.... in addition, mr cipollone testified _ instructed.... in addition, mr cipollone testified that i instructed.... in addition, mr cipollone testified that it i cipollone testified that it would have been feasible as commentators on television were suggesting for president trump to immediately appear at the podium in the pressroom to address the nation.- podium in the pressroom to address the nation. would it have been — address the nation. would it have been possible - address the nation. would it have been possible at i address the nation. would it have been possible at any i have been possible at any moment for the president walked down to the podium and talk to the nation at any atany time? at any time? would that have been possible? _ at any time? would that have been possible? yes. - at any time? would that have been possible? yes. it i at any time? would that have been possible? yes. it would| been possible? yes. it would have — been possible? yes. it would have been possible. we been possible? yes. it would have been possible.- have been possible. we 'ust heard mr i have been possible. we 'ust heard mr cipollone i have been possible. we 'ust heard mr cipollone say i have been possible. wejust heard mr cipollone say that| heard mr cipollone say that president trump could have gone to the press briefing room to an issue a statement at any moment. to give you a sense of just how easy that would have been, let's have a look at the map of the west wing. as we saw

earlier, the president's private dining room is at the bottom of the map. the press briefing room is at the top, highlighted in blue and the rose garden where is on the right next to the oval office and that is highlighted in green. ms matthews, how quickly could the president have gotten on camera in the press briefing room to deliver a statement to the nation? it would take probably less than 60 seconds from the oval office dining room over to the press briefing room and for folks that may not know the briefing room is the room that you see the white house press secretary do briefings from with the podium and the blueback drop and there is a camera that is on in there at all times and if the president had wanted to make a statement and address the american people he could have been on camera almost instantly and,

conversely, the white house press corps has offices located directly behind the briefing room and so if he had wanted to make an address from the oval office we could have assembled the white house press corps probably in a matter of minutes to get them into the oval for him to do and on camera address. him to do and on camera address— him to do and on camera address. , , , ., address. other witnesses have liven us address. other witnesses have given us their _ address. other witnesses have given us their views _ address. other witnesses have given us their views on - address. other witnesses have given us their views on that i given us their views on that question. for example, general keith kellogg told us that some staff were concerned that a live appearance by the president at the microphones at that moment could actually make matters worse. he told us he recommended against doing a press conference because during his four years in the trump administration, quote, there was not a single clean press conference we had had. president trump �*s advisers knew his state of mind at the moment and they were worried about what he would say in unscripted comments. i yield to the gentlewoman from virginia. thank you. as you have heard, by two o'clock multiple staff

members in the white house recognised that a serious situation was under way at the capitol. personally i recall doing evacuated from the house office building where we were sitting before this time due to the discovery of two pipe bombs in nearby buildings. ms matthews, around the same time you were watching the violence unfold on television and social media, with colleagues, including with ben williamson, a senior aide to mark meadows and the acting director of communications. you told us that before president trump sent his next tweet at 2:24, mr williams went to see mr meadows and you went up to see kayleigh mcenany. why did you do that? we were watching the coverage unfold — we were watching the coverage unfold from one of the officers in the — unfold from one of the officers in the west wing and we both recognise that the situation was — recognise that the situation was escalating and escalating quickly— was escalating and escalating quickly and that the president needed — quickly and that the president needed to be out there immediately to tell these

people to go home and condemn the violence that we were seeing _ the violence that we were seeing. so i told him that i was — seeing. so i told him that i was going to make that recommendation to kayleigh mcenany and he said he would make — mcenany and he said he would make the _ mcenany and he said he would make the same recommendation to the chief— make the same recommendation to the chief of— make the same recommendation to the chief of staff, mark meadows.— the chief of staff, mark meadows. ., ,, , ., ., ., meadows. thank you. in one of our meadows. thank you. in one of your colleagues _ meadows. thank you. in one of your colleagues in _ meadows. thank you. in one of your colleagues in the - meadows. thank you. in one of your colleagues in the press i your colleagues in the press office told us that he also went to see kayleigh mcenany at that time. let's hear what he said about that critical period of time as the rioters were getting into the capitol. it appears that individuals are storming the us capitol building. they also appear to be supporters of donald trump who may have been in attendance at the rally. we will need to say something.— at the rally. we will need to sa somethina. �* , ., ., say something. and did you have a view... inaudible _

say something. and did you have a view... inaudible mac - say something. and did you have a view... inaudible mac if - say something. and did you have a view... inaudible mac if i i ifi if i recall i told kayleigh mcenany that we needed to encourage individuals to stop and to respect law enforcement and to respect law enforcement and to respect law enforcement and to go home.— and to go home. although president _ and to go home. although president trump - and to go home. although president trump was - and to go home. although. president trump was aware and to go home. although - president trump was aware of the ongoing riot he did not take any immediate action to address the lawlessness. instead, at 2:03 he called rudy giuliani again and the call lasted for over eight minutes. moments later at 2:13, rioters broke into the capitol itself. one of the proud boys charged with seditious conspiracy used and officers shield to smash a window and rioters flooded into the building.

shouting and breaking glass go, go, go! as rioters were entering the building, the secret service held vice president pens in his office of the senate chamber for 13 minutes as they worked to clear a safe parlour that make safepath to a secure location. listen to some of that radio traffic and see what they were seeing as protesters got feet away from where the vice president was holding. we need to move, we need to move now. if we need to move, we need to move "ow-— we need to move, we need to

move nova— we need to move, we need to move now. if we lose any more time we may — move now. if we lose any more time we may lose _ move now. if we lose any more time we may lose the - move now. if we lose any more time we may lose the ability i move now. if we lose any more time we may lose the ability to | time we may lose the ability to leave _ time we may lose the ability to leave so — time we may lose the ability to leave so if_ time we may lose the ability to leave so if we need to leave we need _ leave so if we need to leave we need to — leave so if we need to leave we need to leave now.— need to leave now. they have cained need to leave now. they have gained access _ need to leave now. they have gained access to _ need to leave now. they have gained access to the - need to leave now. they have gained access to the second l gained access to the second floor and i have public about five feet from us down here below. , ., ., , _, below. they are on the second floor moving — below. they are on the second floor moving in _ below. they are on the second floor moving in now. _ below. they are on the second floor moving in now. we - below. they are on the second floor moving in now. we may i floor moving in now. we may want — floor moving in now. we may want to— floor moving in now. we may want to consider getting out and living now.— want to consider getting out and living now. copy? repeat? any individuals _ and living now. copy? repeat? any individuals that _ and living now. copy? repeat? any individuals that we - and living now. copy? repeat? any individuals that we make l any individuals that we make our way to the bleep. people are 5—10 feet away. people are 5-10 feet away. i'm auoin people are 5-10 feet away. i'm going now _ people are 5-10 feet away. i'm going now to — people are 5—10 feet away. i'm going now to evaluate. people are 5-10 feet away. i'm going now to evaluate. we - people are 5-10 feet away. i'ml going now to evaluate. we have a clear path _ going now to evaluate. we have a clear path if— going now to evaluate. we have a clear path if we _ going now to evaluate. we have a clear path if we move - a clear path if we move quicklv _ a clear path if we move quickly-— quickly. is that route compromised? - quickly. is that route i compromised? insecure quickly. is that route - compromised? insecure but quickly. is that route _ compromised? insecure but there are some protesters _

compromised? insecure but there are some protesters being - are some protesters being contained. there is smoke, unknown _ contained. there is smoke, unknown what sort of smoke it is. ., , , . unknown what sort of smoke it is. ., _ . . unknown what sort of smoke it is. ., , , . . . unknown what sort of smoke it is. copy. clear. we are coming out now- _ is. copy. clear. we are coming out now. make _ is. copy. clear. we are coming out now. make a _ is. copy. clear. we are coming out now. make a way. - is. copy. clear. we are coming out now. make a way. the - out now. make a way. the president's _ out now. make a way. the president's national- out now. make a way. the president's national security council staff was listening to these developments and tracking them in real time. these developments and tracking them in realtime. 0n these developments and tracking them in real time. on the screen you can see excerpts from the chat logs among the national, among the presidents national, among the presidents national security council staff. at 2:13 the staff learned that the riders were kicking in windows at the capitol. three minutes later the staff said that the vice president was being hold which meant he was evacuated from the senate floor. at 2:21; they noted that the secret service agents at the secret service agents at the capitol did not, quote, sound good right now. earlier you heard from a security professional who had been working in the white house complex onjanuary 6 with

access to relevant information and responsibility to report to national security officials. we asked this person what was meant by the comment that the secret service agents did not, quote: sound good right now. in the following testimony which has been modified to prevent identities. they discuss what they heard from listening to incoming radio traffic that day.

as this next video shows, the anger of the rioters was focused primarily on vice president mike pence. this woman came _ president mike pence. this woman came up _ president mike pence. this woman came up to - president mike pence. this woman came up to the - president mike pence. “in 3 woman came up to the side of us and she says" pence folded" to so it was kind of like, 0k, well in my mind i my son in real eggs at me and he says, i want to go in. —— my son in law looks at me. it's

spreading that p betrayed us. —— mike pence betrayed us. if you could think it up, you were hearing it. was going to certify or not certify them. i think that is changed correct? i think there

are several hundred thousand people here who are very disappointed. president trump did not try to calm his thousands of supporters. instead, the president said, mike pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our constitution. president trump called mike pence a coward and put all the blame on him for not stopping the certification. he put a target on his own vice president's back. can i ask you about seeing the 2.21; tweet in

real time? you both use the same imagery to describe it, president trump was adding fuel to the fire. ~ president trump was adding fuel to the fire-— to the fire. mine, he resigned after this _ to the fire. mine, he resigned after this tweet, _ to the fire. mine, he resigned after this tweet, can - to the fire. mine, he resigned after this tweet, can you - to the fire. mine, he resigned after this tweet, can you tell. after this tweet, can you tell us why? _ after this tweet, can you tell us why? yes. that was shortly before — us why? yes. that was shortly before i— us why? yes. that was shortly before i got back to the white house — before i got back to the white house i— before i got back to the white house. i began to see for the first— house. i began to see for the first time _ house. i began to see for the first time those images on tv or what— first time those images on tv or what was unfolding at the capitoi _ or what was unfolding at the capitol. 0ne or what was unfolding at the capitol. one of my aids handed me a _ capitol. one of my aids handed me a sheet of paper that contained the tweet that you 'ust contained the tweet that you just read. i read it and was quite — just read. i read it and was quite disturbed by it. i was disturbed and worried to see that— disturbed and worried to see that the _ disturbed and worried to see that the president was attacking vice president pence, for not — attacking vice president pence, for not doing his

constitutional duty. it looked, that tweet, the opposite of what — that tweet, the opposite of what we needed at that moment, which _ what we needed at that moment, which was — what we needed at that moment, which was a de—escalation. thrat's— which was a de—escalation. that's why i said it looked like if you would be implored on the file. that was the moment i decided to resign, that it would be my last day at the white house. i simply didn't want to be associated with the events that were unfolding on the capitol. find unfolding on the capitol. and ms matthews, _ unfolding on the capitol. and ms matthews, what was your reaction _ ms matthews, what was your reaction to _ ms matthews, what was your reaction to the _ ms matthews, what was your reaction to the president's i reaction to the president's tweet— reaction to the president's tweet about _ reaction to the president's tweet about vice _ reaction to the president'sj tweet about vice president reaction to the president's - tweet about vice president mike pence? — tweet about vice president mike pence? it— tweet about vice president mike pence? it was— tweet about vice president mike pence? it was obvious - tweet about vice president mike pence? it was obvious that - tweet about vice president mike pence? it was obvious that the| pence? it was obvious that the situation — pence? it was obvious that the situation was _ pence? it was obvious that the situation was escalating - situation was escalating quickly, _ situation was escalating quickly. so _ situation was escalating quickly. so i _ situation was escalating quickly, so i thought. situation was escalating | quickly, so i thought the situation was escalating - quickly, so i thought the tweet was the — quickly, so i thought the tweet was the last— quickly, so i thought the tweet was the last thing _ quickly, so i thought the tweet was the last thing needed - quickly, so i thought the tweet was the last thing needed at. was the last thing needed at that— was the last thing needed at that moment. _ was the last thing needed at that moment. i— was the last thing needed at that moment. i remember. that moment. i remember thinking _ that moment. i remember thinking this— that moment. i remember thinking this was - that moment. i remember thinking this was going - that moment. i remember thinking this was going to| that moment. i remember. thinking this was going to be bad thinking this was going to be had for— thinking this was going to be had for him _ thinking this was going to be bad for him to— thinking this was going to be bad for him to tweet - thinking this was going to be bad for him to tweet this - bad for him to tweet this because _ bad for him to tweet this because it _ bad for him to tweet this because it was _ bad for him to tweet thisl because it was essentially bad for him to tweet this - because it was essentially him giving — because it was essentially him giving the _ because it was essentially him giving the green _ because it was essentially him giving the green light- because it was essentially him giving the green light to - because it was essentially him giving the green light to these people. — giving the green light to these people. telling _ giving the green light to these people, telling them - giving the green light to these people, telling them that - giving the green light to these | people, telling them that what they were _ people, telling them that what they were doing _ people, telling them that what they were doing at _ people, telling them that what they were doing at the - people, telling them that what they were doing at the steps . people, telling them that what|

they were doing at the steps of they were doing at the steps of the capitot. _ they were doing at the steps of the capitol, entering _ they were doing at the steps of the capitol, entering the - the capitol, entering the capitol. _ the capitol, entering the capitol, was— the capitol, entering the capitol, was ok - the capitol, entering the capitol, was ok and - the capitol, entering the| capitol, was ok and they the capitol, entering the - capitol, was ok and they were justified — capitol, was ok and they were justified in _ capitol, was ok and they were justified in their— capitol, was ok and they were justified in their anger. - capitol, was ok and they were justified in their anger. he - justified in theiranger. he shouldn't— justified in theiranger. he shouldn't have _ justified in theiranger. he shouldn't have been. - justified in theiranger. he shouldn't have been. he l justified in their anger. he - shouldn't have been. he should have _ shouldn't have been. he should have been— shouldn't have been. he should have been telling _ shouldn't have been. he should have been telling these - shouldn't have been. he should have been telling these peoplel have been telling these people to go— have been telling these people to go home, _ have been telling these people to go home, and _ have been telling these people to go home, and condemning i to go home, and condemning the violence — to go home, and condemning the violence we — to go home, and condemning the violence we were _ to go home, and condemning the violence we were seeing. - to go home, and condemning the violence we were seeing. i- to go home, and condemning the violence we were seeing. i have i violence we were seeing. i have worked — violence we were seeing. i have worked with _ violence we were seeing. i have worked with him... _ violence we were seeing. i have worked with him... i— violence we were seeing. i have worked with him... i worked - violence we were seeing. i have worked with him... i worked on| worked with him... i worked on the campaign, _ worked with him... i worked on the campaign, travelled - worked with him... i worked on the campaign, travelled all- the campaign, travelled all around _ the campaign, travelled all around the _ the campaign, travelled all around the country - the campaign, travelled all around the country going . the campaign, travelled all| around the country going to countless _ around the country going to countless rallies— around the country going to countless rallies with - around the country going to countless rallies with him, i around the country going to i countless rallies with him, and i countless rallies with him, and l have — countless rallies with him, and l have seen— countless rallies with him, and i have seen the _ countless rallies with him, and i have seen the impact- countless rallies with him, and i have seen the impact that. countless rallies with him, and i have seen the impact that his words — i have seen the impact that his words have _ i have seen the impact that his words have on— i have seen the impact that his words have on his _ i have seen the impact that his words have on his supporters. | words have on his supporters. they— words have on his supporters. they truly— words have on his supporters. they truly latch _ words have on his supporters. they truly latch onto - words have on his supporters. they truly latch onto every - they truly latch onto every word — they truly latch onto every word and _ they truly latch onto every word and every— they truly latch onto every word and every tweet - they truly latch onto every word and every tweet that| they truly latch onto every l word and every tweet that he says — word and every tweet that he says so _ word and every tweet that he says so i _ word and every tweet that he says. so i think— word and every tweet that he says. so i think in— says. so i think in that moment, _ says. so i think in that moment, for- says. so i think in that moment, for him - says. so i think in that moment, for him to l says. so i think in that - moment, for him to tweet out a message — moment, for him to tweet out a message about _ moment, for him to tweet out a message about mike _ moment, for him to tweet out a message about mike pence, - moment, for him to tweet out a message about mike pence, it. message about mike pence, it was him — message about mike pence, it was him pouring _ message about mike pence, it was him pouring gasoline - message about mike pence, it was him pouring gasoline on l message about mike pence, it. was him pouring gasoline on the fire and — was him pouring gasoline on the fire and making _ was him pouring gasoline on the fire and making it— was him pouring gasoline on the fire and making it much- was him pouring gasoline on the fire and making it much worse. i fire and making it much worse. thank— fire and making it much worse. thank you _ fire and making it much worse. thank you both. _ fire and making it much worse. thank you both. some - fire and making it much worse. thank you both. some other. thank you both. some other reactions to the tweet. mr; reactions to the tweet. my reaction — reactions to the tweet. my reaction was _ reactions to the tweet. my reaction was it _ reactions to the tweet. my reaction was it was a terrible tweet — reaction was it was a terrible tweet i_ reaction was it was a terrible tweet. i disagreed and i thought it was wrong. what was our thought it was wrong. what was your reaction — thought it was wrong. what was your reaction when _ thought it was wrong. what was your reaction when you - thought it was wrong. what was your reaction when you saw - thought it was wrong. what wasj your reaction when you saw that tweet? — your reaction when you saw that tweet? , ,

tweet? extremely unhelpful. er. . . tweet? extremely unhelpful. er... it wasn't the _ tweet? extremely unhelpful. er... it wasn't the message i er... it wasn't the message that we needed at that time. it wasn't going to... the scenes at the us capitol were only getting worse at that point. this was not going to help that. a ~ this was not going to help that. ~ ., , that. making it worse? certainly- _ that. making it worse? certainly. what - that. making it worse? certainly. what was i that. making it worse? l certainly. what was your reaction _ certainly. what was your reaction when _ certainly. what was your reaction when you i certainly. what was your reaction when you saw. certainly. what was your i reaction when you saw the tweet? _ reaction when you saw the tweet? �* , ., reaction when you saw the tweet? ~ , ., ., reaction when you saw the tweet? a ., ., ., ., tweet? as someone who works to re - resent tweet? as someone who works to represent the _ tweet? as someone who works to represent the administration i tweet? as someone who works to represent the administration to i represent the administration to the best— represent the administration to the best of— represent the administration to the best of my— represent the administration to the best of my ability _ represent the administration to the best of my ability and - represent the administration to the best of my ability and to i the best of my ability and to showcase _ the best of my ability and to showcase the _ the best of my ability and to showcase the good - the best of my ability and to showcase the good things i the best of my ability and to| showcase the good things he had done for— showcase the good things he had done for the _ showcase the good things he had done for the country, _ showcase the good things he had done for the country, i— done for the country, i remember— done for the country, i remember feeling i done for the country, i- remember feeling frustrated, disappointed. _ remember feeling frustrated, disappointed, really, - remember feeling frustrated, disappointed, really, it- remember feeling frustrated, disappointed, really, it felt. disappointed, really, it felt personnel, _ disappointed, really, it felt personnel, '— disappointed, really, it felt personnel, iwas— disappointed, really, it felt personnel, i was really- disappointed, really, it felti personnel, i was really sad. disappointed, really, it felt- personnel, i was really sad. as an american. _ personnel, i was really sad. as anamerlcan. i_ personnel, i was really sad. as an american, i was— personnel, i was really sad. as

an american, i was disgusted. | an american, i was disgusted. it was — an american, i was disgusted. it was unpatriotic. _ an american, i was disgusted. it was unpatriotic. it _ an american, i was disgusted. it was unpatriotic. it was - it was unpatriotic. it was un—american. _ it was unpatriotic. it was un—american. we - it was unpatriotic. it was un—american. we were i it was unpatriotic. it was - un—american. we were watching the capltol— un—american. we were watching the capitol building _ un—american. we were watching the capitol building get - the capitol building get defaced _ the capitol building get defaced over— the capitol building get defaced over a - the capitol building get defaced over a lie. i the capitol building get defaced over a lie. is. the capitol building get defaced over a lie. as you will see, at defaced over a lie. as you will see. at 2-26. _ defaced over a lie. as you will see, at 2.26, the _ defaced over a lie. as you will see, at 2.26, the vice - see, at 2.26, the vice president had to be evacuated to safety a second time, and came within a0 feet of the rioters. the attack escalated quickly after the tweet. during this chaos, what did president trump do at that

point? he went back to calling senators to try to further delay the electoral count. while the vice president was being evacuated from the senate, president trump called one of his strongest supporters in the senate. as that person recalled, he had to evacuate the senate chamber himself. he didn't the senate chamber himself. he: didn't call my phone, he called somebody else and they handed to me. i said, somebody else and they handed to me. isaid, mr somebody else and they handed to me. i said, mr president, we are not doing much work here right now because theyjust took the vice president out, and i have to hang up on you, i have to leave.— have to leave. senatorjosh holly also _ have to leave. senatorjosh holly also had to _ have to leave. senatorjosh holly also had to flee. i have to leave. senatorjosh l holly also had to flee. earlier that afternoon before the joint session started, he walked across the east front of the capitol. as you can see in this

photo, he raised his fist in solidarity with the protesters, already amassing at the security gates. he spoke with a capitol police officer who was out there at the time. she told us about senator holly's gesture while the crowd and it bothered her greatly because he was doing it in a safe space, protected by the officers and the barriers. later that day, senator holly fled after the protesters he helped to rile up storms the capitol. see for yourself. —— riled up the crowd. think about what we have

seen, undeniable violence at the capitol. the vice president being evacuated by the secret service. ,, . ., , service. senators running throuuh service. senators running through the _ service. senators running through the hallways i service. senators running through the hallways to l service. senators running l through the hallways to get away from the mob. as the commander—in—chief, president trump was oath bound and duty—bound to protect the capitol, his senior staff understood that. do capitol, his senior staff understood that. , understood that. do you believe the president — understood that. do you believe the president has _ understood that. do you believe the president has an _ understood that. do you believe the president has an obligationl the president has an obligation to ensure — the president has an obligation to ensure a peaceful transfer of power?— to ensure a peaceful transfer of power?- and - to ensure a peaceful transfer of power?- and do i to ensure a peaceful transfer of power? yes. and do you think the president — of power? jazz and do you think the president has a duty to defend _ the president has a duty to defend all three branches of our government? | defend all three branches of our government? i believe so. and also _ our government? i believe so. and also an — our government? i believe so. and also an obligation - our government? i believe so. and also an obligation that i our government? i believe so. | and also an obligation that the laws _ and also an obligation that the laws be — and also an obligation that the laws be faithfully executed? that — laws be faithfully executed? that is — laws be faithfully executed? that is one of the president's obligations, correct.- obligations, correct. there is a constitutional _ obligations, correct. there is a constitutional duty. - obligations, correct. there is a constitutional duty. he i obligations, correct. there is a constitutional duty. he is i a constitutional duty. he is the — a constitutional duty. he is the commander—in—chief. i a constitutional duty. he is- the commander—in—chief. that was _ the commander—in—chief. that was my— the commander—in—chief. that was my biggest— the commander—in—chief. that was my biggest issue - the commander—in—chief. that was my biggest issue with- the commander—in—chief. that was my biggest issue with himj

was my biggest issue with him as natlonal— was my biggest issue with him as national security— was my biggest issue with him as national security adviser. l as national security adviser. rather— as national security adviser. rather than— as national security adviser. rather than uphold - as national security adviser. rather than uphold his- as national security adviser. rather than uphold his dutyl as national security adviser. i rather than uphold his duty to the constitution, president trump allowed the mob to achieve the delay that he hoped would keep him in power. l would keep him in power. i request that those in the hearing room remain seated until the capitol police have exported members and witnesses from the room. i now declare the committee in recess for a period of approximately ten minutes. we are pausing for a short break in the hearing. you have been watching the eight place

january 6th committee hearing, which has been outlining the chaotic events of the january 6th riot, when protesters stormed the capitol. you have been hearing the committee laying out their case, that president trump not only knew that the mob was armed and violent, but that he deliberately did nothing to try and stop them from continuing. we heard testimony from his deputy press secretary, who said that she, having worked with the president on the

campaign trail, fully understood how his supporters latched onto every word he said, and that his inaction and then a tweet condemning the vice president mike pence, saying that he lacked the courage to do his duty, in other words, to overturn the election results poured fuel on the fire. we can now go to capitol hill where nomia iqbal has been watching. extraordinary scenes we have been looking at. it really shows the power of a simple timeline. the 187 minutes the committee has been talking about, the time between president trump rallying his

supporters, urging them to go to the capitol, and then the final moment where he described them as a very special and ask them as a very special and ask them to go home. what were the most powerful moments to you? the committee were trying to show the inaction that donald trump took in those 187 minutes, telling his supporters to march to the capital and then releasing that video in which he told them to go home. what was really interesting, jane, there was a period of time when no one knew what he was doing. he was sat in his dining room in the white house, facing a tv, watching fox news.

no official records, no photos. the chief white house photographer wanted to take photos, as they do for archive purposes, but they were told it couldn't happen. picking up on that, obviously you have covered the white house a number of times and you have been there and been to the pressroom. the point that sarah matthews made about it taking the president 60 seconds to get into the press briefing room in front of a camera, what do you make of that? from your experience he could have said something very quickly, couldn't he?— something very quickly, couldn't he? _, . something very quickly, couldn't he? . ., . ,, couldn't he? he could have. she made the _ couldn't he? he could have. she made the point _ couldn't he? he could have. she made the point of _ couldn't he? he could have. she made the point of where - couldn't he? he could have. she made the point of where he i couldn't he? he could have. she made the point of where he was | made the point of where he was that itjust made the point of where he was that it just would made the point of where he was that itjust would not have taken that long to get him there. and the camera is always on. he could have gone on and made a statement to say something but he chose not to and this is what the committee is saying that there are

opportunities where he could have said something or done something. we saw a photo taken 15 minutes, the first time we have seen that photo of donald trump in the oval office when the mob had started swarming around the capitol. but they say he did nothing and that is the point that the committee is trying to make. that he ignored his constitutional duty to act and that is what you expect from the leader, from america's president, to take action. he did not do it. and what was interesting about sarah matthews and in the same way as well with the other witness is they talk about how proud they were to serve the donald trump. matthew pottinger particularly said he was proud of donald trump 's foreign policy in regards to china. but this that broke the camel's back and both of them resigned quickly that day. of them resigned quickly that da . ., ~' , ., , of them resigned quickly that da . . ,, , ., , . of them resigned quickly that da. .~g , . day. thank you very much. stay there because _ day. thank you very much. stay there because we _ day. thank you very much. stay there because we will _ day. thank you very much. stay there because we will be - day. thank you very much. stay | there because we will be coming back to you throughout this hearing. let's bring in our

panellists, john christie, a former adviser to george w wiles bush and a former adviser to hillary clinton. i'm keen to get your perspective on this because i am very struck by the use of sarah matthews and so many of the people that donald trump was surrounded by that day. they recognise the severity of the situation and they recognise the danger that mike pence was in and they recognised that this was more than a protest rally, it was an assault on the capitol. that is an extraordinary position to be in at such a young age and to then go to the president and then go to the president and then go to their bosses and try to get something happening. is that normal? let to get something happening. is that normal?— that normal? let me 'ust say havin: that normal? let me 'ust say having worked i that normal? let me 'ust say having worked for i that normal? let me just say having worked for the - that normal? let me just say having worked for the vice i having worked for the vice president of the united states as deputy national security for dick— as deputy national security for dick cheney and having been a special— dick cheney and having been a special assistant to president bush — special assistant to president bush i — special assistant to president bush i want to say two things here —

bush i want to say two things here. numberone, iwas bush i want to say two things here. number one, iwas 31 here. number one, i was 31 years— here. number one, i was 31 years old— here. number one, iwas 31 years old when i started in the white — years old when i started in the white house and you have a remarkable room amount of responsibility. when you have an opportunity to advise the vice — an opportunity to advise the vice president and what i saw tonight, _ vice president and what i saw tonight, listening to the testimony of those who were in the capitol, those who were in the capitol, those who were in the vice — the capitol, those who were in the vice president's office with— the vice president's office with the secret service detail i have — with the secret service detail i have been in that office and my goodness i cannot tell you how _ my goodness i cannot tell you how many times. if they were in fear for— how many times. if they were in fear for their lives they probably felt they were in fear for their— probably felt they were in fear for their lives. flipping the table — for their lives. flipping the table on _ for their lives. flipping the table on that, having been a special— table on that, having been a special assistant to the president of the united states, i president of the united states, hust— president of the united states, ijust cannot imagine the breakdown of not being with the president and saying mr president this must stop, you need. — president this must stop, you need. as— president this must stop, you need, as you heard, 60 seconds away— need, as you heard, 60 seconds away from — need, as you heard, 60 seconds away from the oval office to walk— away from the oval office to walk to _ away from the oval office to walk to the briefing room and say enough is enough go home.

so, say enough is enough go home. so. yes, — say enough is enough go home. so, yes, while there are those who— so, yes, while there are those who say— so, yes, while there are those who say that this is a part of an attack— who say that this is a part of an attack on the president but having — an attack on the president but having been there and having worked — having been there and having worked with president and vice presidents of the united states i look— presidents of the united states i look at — presidents of the united states i look at this and say i have been — i look at this and say i have been there and done that and i am chilled by what i heard tonight _ am chilled by what i heard toniaht. �* ., ., ., am chilled by what i heard toniaht. . . . . . tonight. amanda, what about ou? tonight. amanda, what about you? you _ tonight. amanda, what about you? you served _ tonight. amanda, what about you? you served with - tonight. amanda, what about you? you served with the i tonight. amanda, what about | you? you served with the first lady, hillary clinton. when that sort of situation happens how easy should it be to gain access to the president and compel him to do the right thing in this situation? you can see. — thing in this situation? you can see. you _ thing in this situation? you can see, you can _ thing in this situation? you can see, you can hear- thing in this situation? you can see, you can hear the i can see, you can hear the words, right? so you have these young staffers and even every staffer who knows the skills of the person you work for, you know what they can do and you know what they can do and you know what they can do and you know what they can saying you know what they can saying you know their actions and events why and how they lead people. you help them actually to refine that in ways that can have even more of an influence and impactand have even more of an influence and impact and to all of a sudden sit there and see that

you have been helping someone to get to this very moment where they are going to use the platform to then harm someone who i would suspect is all of these staffers deeply respect, not only the office of the presidency and the congress and the vice president but then to see that kind of talent and platform and all that you have been working for, to actually then be used to harm people, to harm our democracy, to hear those words and to see someone go through that at a young age, you do not need a lot of skill and experience to know that you are sitting on a moment where the platform you have helped to create in the leadership you help to create is now going to be used to potentially harm somebody and what is most impactfulfor me is hearing the words of when you reach that moment and go, oh, my gosh. i cannot do anything. the only thing i have is to quit and i cannot keep doing this. and to try as hard as they could and

also even in that moment to recognise that you have a boss that no matter what you say is going to do what he wants is an incredible moment when you are sitting there recognising that what kind of power do you have? watching it on the front lines in the president is not far from you. i cannot quite imagine what that feels like, only because when i have been in positions where people have had to show leadership i have been able to go the room and say these are your options, this will lead to this and that will lead to that but i've never been in a moment where i can honestly say that, i'd can't, i don't know anything i can't, i don't know anything i can do and this is going to happen anyway. and so what can i do? can you hear these two staffers say that this is when i knew i was going to quit. this is when i knew i could not do this anymore. this is when i knewl could not do this anymore.— do this anymore. and yet so many people _ do this anymore. and yet so many people did _ do this anymore. and yet so many people did not - do this anymore. and yet so many people did not quit i do this anymore. and yet so | many people did not quit and do this anymore. and yet so i many people did not quit and so many people did not quit and so many people did not quit and so many people continue to defend donald trump and his actions and his omissions even now. i

want to bring that up with you, mr christy. i have heard over the last three years of covering president trump 's tenure in office that it is just words. this is president trump. hejust says just words. this is president trump. he just says these things and we should not take them seriously. what we just heard from sarah matthews tonight about the fact that his words do mean something, they mean a lot to supporters, they latch onto them. does that finally under mean that mac undermine the defence so often made for president trump that it isjust words made for president trump that it is just words and it cannot be responsible for how other people interpret them? amanda and i both know _ people interpret them? amanda and i both know this _ people interpret them? amanda and i both know this very - people interpret them? amanda and i both know this very well i and i both know this very well that— and i both know this very well that words mean everything, particularly at the highest levels _ particularly at the highest levels of the united states government, particularly in the executive — government, particularly in the executive office of the president. the president does not have — president. the president does not have the luxury ofjust speaking off—the—cuff. they do not have — speaking off—the—cuff. they do not have the luxury to say here is what — not have the luxury to say here is what i — not have the luxury to say here is what i think. everyone in

the — is what i think. everyone in the united states and around the united states and around the world fixates on their words. _ the world fixates on their words, deeds and measures. and that day, — words, deeds and measures. and that day, january sit, the president of the united states had an— president of the united states had an opportunity to say, you know. — had an opportunity to say, you know. this _ had an opportunity to say, you know, this is wrong. this is not — know, this is wrong. this is not what _ know, this is wrong. this is not what we are about as a democracy, this is not who we are as — democracy, this is not who we are as a — democracy, this is not who we are as a people. and yet he sat and did — are as a people. and yet he sat and did nothing and ijust, i'm going— and did nothing and ijust, i'm going to— and did nothing and ijust, i'm going to be perfectly honest with — going to be perfectly honest with you, i listen to this testimony tonight and i think to myself my, goodness. from the white _ to myself my, goodness. from the white house i was in and there — the white house i was in and there have been, for lack of a better— there have been, for lack of a better way of putting it, there should — better way of putting it, there should have been an adult in the room _ should have been an adult in the room who said this is wrong you need — the room who said this is wrong you need to go out there right now— you need to go out there right now and — you need to go out there right now and right this wrong and the fact— now and right this wrong and the fact that we had those many minutes, — the fact that we had those many minutes, those many advisers were — minutes, those many advisers were sitting around commiserating with the president of the united states in his—

president of the united states in his private dining room, i find — in his private dining room, i find astounding in ways that i am ashamed of.— find astounding in ways that i am ashamed of. ~ . ., , ., . ,, am ashamed of. what do you make ofthe am ashamed of. what do you make of the way that _ am ashamed of. what do you make of the way that the _ am ashamed of. what do you make of the way that the committee i of the way that the committee has created this powerful timeline of not the president's actions but the president's inaction? we had that split screen of what was happening at the capitol and then the picture of him or the graphic of the positioning of the dining room and the screen, the television screen. ruefully, amanda, is that effective and is it working? we're about return to the committee. it is and i return to the committee. it is and liust _ return to the committee. it is and i just want _ return to the committee. it is and i just want to _ return to the committee. it is and i just want to say - return to the committee. it 3 and ijust want to say that and i just want to say that this idea that leadership is about oath, action and inaction, both are a decision on the fact that if you just take the actions of what he did, what he did say in what he wanted to say, those are actions he wanted to do, that in itself is enough but when you are a leader, what you do not do was also saying something in the folks who follow you know that as well.

amanda and ron, stay with us because we will be coming back to you towards the end of this hearing and it has reconvened. liz cheney is tapping the gavel and off we go again. just liz cheney is tapping the gavel and off we go again.— and off we go again. just after president _ and off we go again. just after president trump _ and off we go again. just after president trump 's _ and off we go again. just after president trump 's 2:24 i and off we go again. just after| president trump 's 2:24 tweed president trump 's 2:2a tweed attacking the vice president. by attacking the vice president. by this time the president had beenin by this time the president had been in his dining room for one hour. i want you to just think of what you would have done if you were in his shoes and had the power to end the violence. you would have immediately and forcefully told the rioters to stop and leave. stop and leave. done. as you heard that is exactly what his senior staff had been urging him to do. but he resisted and he kept resisting for another two hours almost. in the meantime, all the president did was post two tweets. 182:38 and the other at 3:13. 0ne

tweets. 182:38 and the other at 3:13. one said, quote, stay peaceful. the other said, quote remain peaceful. but the president already knew that the mob was attacking police and had invaded the capitol. neither tweed condemned the violence or told the mob to leave the capitol and disperse. to appreciate how obvious it was that president trump was not meeting this moment it is helpful to look at the real—time reactions of his own son, donjr, to the first week. captured in a series of text messages with mark meadows. i warned the audience that these messages contain some strong language. as you can see, don jrfirst language. as you can see, don jr first texted language. as you can see, don jrfirst texted mr language. as you can see, don jr first texted mr meadows at two: 53.

donjr responded that don jr responded that this donjr responded that this is one you go to the mattresses on. they will try to bleep his entire legacy on this if it gets worse. this is what donjr told us he meant by go to the mattresses.— mattresses. you say that mr meadows — mattresses. you say that mr meadows needs _ mattresses. you say that mr meadows needs to - mattresses. you say that mr meadows needs to go i mattresses. you say that mr meadows needs to go to i mattresses. you say that mr meadows needs to go to the j meadows needs to go to the mattresses on this issue. when you say— mattresses on this issue. when you say go— mattresses on this issue. when you say go to the mattresses, what _ you say go to the mattresses, what does that mean? it is you say go to the mattresses, what does that mean?- what does that mean? it is a reference — what does that mean? it is a reference for _ what does that mean? it is a reference for going - what does that mean? it is a reference for going all- what does that mean? it is a reference for going all in. i what does that mean? it is a reference for going all in. al reference for going all in. a godfather reference.- godfather reference. sean kennedy _ godfather reference. sean kennedy agreed and i godfather reference. sean kennedy agreed and he i godfather reference. sean l kennedy agreed and he also turned to mark meadows for help after the president's second tweed. as you can see, mr hannity said that the president needed to tell the riders to leave the capitol. mr meadows responded that he was on. don jr and sean hannity were not the only ones to employ mr meadows to get the president to speak to the nation until the

mob to go home. throughout the attack, mr meadows received texts from republican members of congress, from current and former trump administration officials, from media personalities and from friends. let president trump 's staff, they knew that president trump had to speak publicly to get the mob to stop. let's look at just a few of these text messages. fox news personality laura ingram said that the president needs to tell the people and the capitol —— in the capitol to go home. mick mulvaney urged that mark, he needs to stop this now. fox news personality brian said please get him on tv. destroying everything that you guys have accomplished. when we interviewed white house counsel pat cipollone he said that he knew the president's two tweets were not enough. let's listen to what he said. did

were not enough. let's listen to what he said.— to what he said. did you believe _ to what he said. did you believe that _ to what he said. did you believe that the - to what he said. did you believe that the tweetsl believe that the tweets inaudible i believe that more needed to be done. i believe that the public statement needed to be made. when you talk about others on the staff thinking more should be done or thinking that the president needed to tell people to go home, who would you put in that category?— in that category? well, i would ut eric in that category? well, i would put eric hirschman. .. - in that category? well, i would put eric hirschman. .. mark i put eric hirschman... mark meadows _ put eric hirschman... mark meadows overall, yvonne,, once jarrod _ meadows overall, yvonne,, once jarrod got — meadows overall, yvonne,, once jarrod got there, jarrod —— lvanka _ jarrod got there, jarrod —— ivanka and jared. i'm probably

missing — ivanka and jared. i'm probably missing some but kayleigh mcenany i think was there. dance _ mcenany i think was there. dance gavino. —— dan's gavino. and _ dance gavino. —— dan's gavino. and who — dance gavino. —— dan's gavino. and who on _ dance gavino. —— dan's gavino. and who on the stuff did not want people to leave the capitol? i can't think of anybody who ican't think of anybody who didn't— i can't think of anybody who didn't want people to get out of the — didn't want people to get out of the capitol once the violence started. no. i mean... what— violence started. no. i mean... what about— violence started. no. i mean... what about the president? she said the star, _ what about the president? she said the star, so i answered. no, _ said the star, so i answered. no, i— said the star, so i answered. no, i said _ said the star, so i answered. no, i said in the white house. i'm sorry, i apologise, i

i'm sorry, iapologise, i thought— i'm sorry, iapologise, i thought you said who on the staff — thought you said who on the staff erm _ thought you said who on the staff. er... ican't thought you said who on the staff. er... i can't with your communications. but obviously i think. _ communications. but obviously i think. you — communications. but obviously i think, you know... —— i can't reveal— think, you know... —— i can't reveal communications. yeah. let's _ reveal communications. yeah. let's pause on that last statement. _ let's pause on that last statement. although. let's pause on that last. statement. although pat cipollone _ statement. although pat cipollone is _ statement. although pat cipollone is being - statement. although pat| cipollone is being careful statement. although pat- cipollone is being careful with executive _ cipollone is being careful with executive privilege, _ cipollone is being careful with executive privilege, there i cipollone is being careful with executive privilege, there is l executive privilege, there is no ambiguity— executive privilege, there is no ambiguity in _ executive privilege, there is no ambiguity in what - executive privilege, there is no ambiguity in what he i executive privilege, there is. no ambiguity in what he said. although _ no ambiguity in what he said. although there _ no ambiguity in what he said. although there were - no ambiguity in what he said. although there were please l no ambiguity in what he said. i although there were please to -et although there were please to get the — although there were please to get the mob _ although there were please to get the mob to— although there were please to get the mob to disperse, i get the mob to disperse, president _ get the mob to disperse, president trump - get the mob to disperse, | president trump refused. get the mob to disperse, - president trump refused. let's examine — president trump refused. let's examine the _ president trump refused. let's examine the 2.38— president trump refused. let's examine the 2.38 tweet - president trump refused. let's examine the 2.38 tweet in i president trump refused. let'si examine the 2.38 tweet in more detail _ examine the 2.38 tweet in more detail for— examine the 2.38 tweet in more detail. for context, _ examine the 2.38 tweet in more detail. for context, this- examine the 2.38 tweet in more detail. for context, this is- detail. for context, this is what _ detail. for context, this is what was _ detail. for context, this is what was happening - detail. for context, this is what was happening at i detail. for context, this is. what was happening at that

time — what was happening at that time. , , ., ~ what was happening at that time. , , ., ,, . , time. they broke the glass? everybody — time. they broke the glass? everybody stay _ time. they broke the glass? everybody stay down... i time. they broke the glass? i everybody stay down... those eo - le everybody stay down... those people are — everybody stay down... those people are in _ everybody stay down... those people are in the _ everybody stay down... those people are in the hallways, i everybody stay down... those | people are in the hallways, we have no way out. there has been tear gas in the rotunda. we are being instructed, each of us, to get gas masks. brute being instructed, each of us, to get gas masks.— being instructed, each of us, to get gas masks. we went from a peaceful _ to get gas masks. we went from a peaceful protest _ to get gas masks. we went from a peaceful protest and _ to get gas masks. we went from a peaceful protest and this i to get gas masks. we went from a peaceful protest and this is i a peaceful protest and this is a peaceful protest and this is a very— a peaceful protest and this is a very dangerous _ a peaceful protest and this is a very dangerous situation i a very dangerous situation right— a very dangerous situation right now _ a very dangerous situation right now i— a very dangerous situation right now. i am _ a very dangerous situation right now. i am being i a very dangerous situation right now. i am being told| a very dangerous situation i right now. i am being told the protesters _ right now. i am being told the protesters are _ right now. i am being told the protesters are on _ right now. i am being told the protesters are on the - right now. i am being told the protesters are on the inside i protesters are on the inside around _ protesters are on the inside around both— protesters are on the inside around both chambers, i protesters are on the inside around both chambers, andj protesters are on the inside - around both chambers, and there is now— around both chambers, and there is now tear— around both chambers, and there is now tear gas _ around both chambers, and there is now tear gas inside _ around both chambers, and there is now tear gas inside the - is now tear gas inside the capitol— is now tear gas inside the capitol rotunda. - is now tear gas inside the capitol rotunda. in - is now tear gas inside the capitol rotunda. in fact, i capitol rotunda. in fact, members _ capitol rotunda. in fact, members locked - capitol rotunda. in fact, members locked in- capitol rotunda. in fact, members locked in the| capitol rotunda. in fact, - members locked in the house are being _ members locked in the house are being instructed _ members locked in the house are being instructed to _ members locked in the house are being instructed to put _ members locked in the house are being instructed to put on - being instructed to put on masks~ _ being instructed to put on masks. ~ , a , being instructed to put on masks. m , ., masks. ms matthews, after president — masks. ms matthews, after president trump's - masks. ms matthews, after president trump's tweet i masks. ms matthews, after i president trump's tweet about vice president pence, you told us you spoke immediately to

kayleigh mcenany. what did you tell her and where did she go afterwards?— afterwards? after the tweet about the — afterwards? after the tweet about the vice _ afterwards? after the tweet about the vice president, i i about the vice president, i found kayleigh and told her i thought the president immediately needed to send a tweet to condemn the violence we were seeing and that there needed to be a call to action to tell these people to leave the capitol. she agreed and walked over to the oval dining room to find the president. we interviewed kayleigh mcenany interviewed kayleigh mcena ny and interviewed kayleigh mcenany and others who were in the dining room with the president urging him to put out a statement. she told us she came right back to the press office after meeting the president about this particular tweet. what did she tell you about what happened in that dining room? when she got back, she told us that the tweet had been sent out, i said i thought that we didn't go far enough and that he needed to condemn the violence. we

that he needed to condemn the violence. ~ ., that he needed to condemn the violence. ~ . ., ., violence. we were in a room full of people _ violence. we were in a room full of people but _ violence. we were in a room full of people but people i full of people but people weren't paying attention, so she looked directly at me and, in a hushed tone, shared with me that the president didn't want to include any mention of peace in that tweet. it took convincing, those in the room, and she said there was a back and she said there was a back and forth going over different phrases to find something he was comfortable with. it wasn't until ivanka trump suggested the phrase stay peaceful, that he finally agreed to include it. , , , , it. the president resisted li . htin . it. the president resisted lighting stay _ it. the president resisted lighting stay peaceful- it. the president resisted lighting stay peaceful inl it. the president resisted| lighting stay peaceful in a tweet. he told mark meadows that the rioters were doing what they should be doing and that the rioters understood that the rioters understood that they were doing what president trump wanted them to do. his message was heard clearly by the organiser of stop the steel, ali alexander.

rioters storming the capital also heard president trump's message. you will see surveillance footage here from the rotunda including a group of oath keepers. you will hear walkie—talkie communications with the group as they share intelligence and communicate about president trump's 2.38 tweet in real time. again, we want the audience that this clip contains strong language. cnn just said they evacuated all members of congress into a safety room. all members of congress into a safety room-— safety room. there is no safe lace in safety room. there is no safe place in the _ safety room. there is no safe place in the united _ safety room. there is no safe place in the united states - safety room. there is no safe place in the united states forj place in the united states for any of— place in the united states for any of these melon farmers right— any of these melon farmers right now. military principle 105, _ right now. military principle 105, kate means grave. trump

'ust 105, kate means grave. trump just tweeted. _ 105, kate means grave. trump just tweeted, please _ 105, kate means grave. trump just tweeted, please support l just tweeted, please support our capital— just tweeted, please support our capital police, _ just tweeted, please support our capital police, do - just tweeted, please support our capital police, do not - just tweeted, please support l our capital police, do not harm them — our capital police, do not harm them. ., �* , our capital police, do not harm them. . �*, ., ., , them. that's saying a lot, but he didn't _ them. that's saying a lot, but he didn't say _ them. that's saying a lot, but he didn't say not _ them. that's saying a lot, but he didn't say not to _ them. that's saying a lot, but he didn't say not to do - he didn't say not to do anything to the congressmen! he did not_ anything to the congressmen! he did not ask them to stand down. he just — did not ask them to stand down. he just said, stand did not ask them to stand down. hejust said, stand by did not ask them to stand down. he just said, stand by the capitol— he just said, stand by the capitol please, _ he just said, stand by the capitol please, they are l he just said, stand by the i capitol please, they are on he just said, stand by the - capitol please, they are on our side, _ capitol please, they are on our side, they— capitol please, they are on our side, they are _ capitol please, they are on our side, they are good _ capitol please, they are on our side, they are good people. i side, they are good people. it's side, they are good people. it's getting _ side, they are good people. it's getting real— side, they are good people. it's getting real down - side, they are good people. | it's getting real down there. i've it's getting real down there. we got— it's getting real down there. we got it _ it's getting real down there. we got it on _ it's getting real down there. i've got it on tv. _ it's getting real down there. i've got it on tv. it's - it's getting real down there. j i've got it on tv. it's looking pretty— i've got it on tv. it's looking pretty radical— i've got it on tv. it's looking pretty radical to _ i've got it on tv. it's looking pretty radical to me. - i've got it on tv. it's looking pretty radical to me. cnn i i've got it on tv. it's looking i pretty radical to me. cnn said trump — pretty radical to me. cnn said trump have _ pretty radical to me. cnn said trump have egg _ pretty radical to me. cnn said trump have egg this- pretty radical to me. cnn said trump have egg this on- pretty radical to me. cnn said trump have egg this on and l pretty radical to me. cnn said . trump have egg this on and that he is _ trump have egg this on and that he is watching _ trump have egg this on and that he is watching the _ trump have egg this on and that he is watching the country- trump have egg this on and that he is watching the country burnl he is watching the country burn two weeks _ he is watching the country burn two weeks before _ he is watching the country burn two weeks before he _ he is watching the country burn two weeks before he leaves - two weeks before he leaves office _ two weeks before he leaves office he _ two weeks before he leaves office. he is— two weeks before he leaves office. he is not— two weeks before he leaves office. he is not leaving - office. he is not leaving office. _ office. he is not leaving office. i_ office. he is not leaving office, i don't— office. he is not leaving office, i don't give - office. he is not leaving office, i don't give a - office. he is not leaving. office, i don't give a sheet what — office, idon't give a sheet what they— office, i don't give a sheet what they say. _ office, i don't give a sheet what they say.— office, i don't give a sheet whatthe sa .~ . , what they say. we are shooting urenades what they say. we are shooting grenades and — what they say. we are shooting grenades and we _ what they say. we are shooting grenades and we are _ what they say. we are shooting grenades and we are in - what they say. we are shooting grenades and we are in here. . what they say. we are shooting l grenades and we are in here. he said god bless and good speed and keep— said god bless and good speed and keep going _ said god bless and good speed

and keep going. this _ said god bless and good speed and keep going-— said god bless and good speed and keep going. this is what we lived u- and keep going. this is what we lived up for- _ and keep going. this is what we lived up for. everything - and keep going. this is what we lived up for. everything we - lived up for. everything we locking _ lived up for. everything we locking train for!— lived up for. everything we locking train for! overran the ca - itol! locking train for! overran the capitol! we _ locking train for! overran the capitol! we have _ locking train for! overran the capitol! we have now - locking train for! overran the capitol! we have now seen i locking train for! overran the i capitol! we have now seen how president trump's _ capitol! we have now seen how president trump's supporters l president trump's supporters reacted to his tweets. matthew pottinger, you said that the tweets were wholly inadequate given the urgency of the crisis. what in your view would have been needed?— crisis. what in your view would have been needed? yeah, it was insufficient. _ have been needed? yeah, it was insufficient. you _ have been needed? yeah, it was insufficient. you could _ have been needed? yeah, it was insufficient. you could count - insufficient. you could count me among those hoping to see an unequivocal strong statement clearing out the capitol, telling people to stand down, leave, go home. i think that's what we were hoping for. so something more definitive and not ambiguous, because he has that power over folks. miss

matthews, you told us about a colleague during the attack and said the president and condemning the violence... can you tell us about that moment and your reaction? aha, and your reaction? a conversation started in the press _ conversation started in the press office after the president sent out the tweet that i— president sent out the tweet that i deemed insufficient. a colleague suggested the president shouldn't condemn the violence — president shouldn't condemn the violence because they thought it would — violence because they thought it would be, quote, handing a win to — it would be, quote, handing a win to the _ it would be, quote, handing a win to the media if he were to condemn— win to the media if he were to condemn his supporters. i disagreed. i thought we should disagreed. ! thought we should condemn— disagreed. i thought we should condemn the violence unequivocally, and i felt he needed _ unequivocally, and i felt he needed to include a call to action— needed to include a call to action to _ needed to include a call to action to tell these people to id action to tell these people to go home. a debate ensued over it. i became visibly frustrated and nty— it. i became visibly frustrated and my colleagues were well aware — and my colleagues were well aware of _ and my colleagues were well aware of that. i couldn't believe _ aware of that. i couldn't believe that we were arguing over— believe that we were arguing over this _ believe that we were arguing over this in the middle of the west— over this in the middle of the west wing, talking about the politics — west wing, talking about the politics of the tweet, being concerned with handing the

media _ concerned with handing the media a _ concerned with handing the media a win when we had just watched — media a win when we had just watched all of that violence unfold _ watched all of that violence unfold at the capitol. i looked at the — unfold at the capitol. i looked at the tv _ unfold at the capitol. i looked at the tv and i said, do you think— at the tv and i said, do you think it _ at the tv and i said, do you think it looks like we are fing winning, _ think it looks like we are fing winning, because i don't think it does — winning, because i don't think it does i_ winning, because i don't think it does. i said again that the president needed to condemn the violence _ president needed to condemn the violence and it didn't matter whether— violence and it didn't matter whether it was left or right, you — whether it was left or right, you should condemn violence 100% — you should condemn violence 100% of— you should condemn violence 100% of the time. we you should condemn violence 100% of the time.— you should condemn violence 100% of the time. 10096 of the time. we have heard how everyone _ 10096 of the time. we have heard how everyone in _ 10096 of the time. we have heard how everyone in the _ 10096 of the time. we have heard how everyone in the orbit - 10096 of the time. we have heard how everyone in the orbit of- how everyone in the orbit of the president was telling him to do more to push the mob to leave the capital. one of these people was the republican leader kevin mccarthy. he managed to get the president on the phone and told him to call off his supporters. the president refused, and so leader mccarthy reached out for help to ivanka trump, who was at the white house, and jared kushner who had just arrived that afternoon on a flight back from the middle east. that

that afternoon on a flight back from the middle east. at some oint in from the middle east. at some point in the — from the middle east. at some point in the afternoon, - from the middle east. at some point in the afternoon, mr- point in the afternoon, mr mccarthy placed a phone call which — mccarthy placed a phone call which was transferred to the president. which was transferred to the president-— president. that's generally what i recall. _ president. that's generally what i recall. were - president. that's generally what i recall. were you - what i recall. were you involved _ what i recall. were you involved in _ what i recall. were you involved in transferring what i recall. were you - involved in transferring that call? — involved in transferring that call? , , , call? i... yes. the president was in the — call? i... yes. the president was in the dining _ call? i... yes. the president was in the dining room - call? i... yes. the president| was in the dining room when call? i... yes. the president. was in the dining room when he took that call. did was in the dining room when he took that call.— took that call. did you personally _ took that call. did you personally reach - took that call. did you personally reach out l took that call. did you | personally reach out to took that call. did you - personally reach out to the president— personally reach out to the president for— personally reach out to the president for more - personally reach out to the i president for more support? i had president for more support? had already talked to the president, i called him and i said — president, i called him and i said i— president, i called him and i said i think we need to make a statement... did said i think we need to make a statement. . ._ statement... did mr mccarthy indicate he — statement... did mr mccarthy indicate he had _ statement... did mr mccarthy indicate he had been - statement... did mr mccarthy indicate he had been in - statement... did mr mccarthy indicate he had been in touch| indicate he had been in touch with president— indicate he had been in touch with president trump? - indicate he had been in touch with president trump? he i with president trump? he indicated _ with president trump? he indicated he _ with president trump? indicated he had with president trump? hr; indicated he had some conversation, i don't recall whether with the president or someone at the white house, but he expressed frustration about not taking the circumstances as seriously as they should.

leader mccarthy, the president of the united states has a briefing room steps from the oval office. the cameras are hot 24/7 as you know. why

hasn't he walked down and said that now? i hasn't he walked down and said that now? . ., , ., that now? i conveyed to the president — that now? i conveyed to the president what _ that now? i conveyed to the president what i _ that now? i conveyed to the president what i think - that now? i conveyed to the president what i think is - that now? i conveyed to the l president what i think is best, and i— president what i think is best, and i hope the president will do it — and i hope the president will do it. ., , ., . do it. you spoke to the chief of staff? _ do it. you spoke to the chief of staff? to _ do it. you spoke to the chief of staff? to the _ do it. you spoke to the chief of staff? to the president i do it. you spoke to the chief. of staff? to the president and the white _ of staff? to the president and the white house _ of staff? to the president and the white house as _ of staff? to the president and the white house as well. - of staff? to the president and j the white house as well. who else spoke — the white house as well. who else spoke to _ the white house as well. who else spoke to the _ the white house as well. who else spoke to the president that— else spoke to the president that afternoon— else spoke to the president that afternoon about - else spoke to the president that afternoon about the i else spoke to the president - that afternoon about the attack on the — that afternoon about the attack on the capitol? _ that afternoon about the attack on the capitol? [— that afternoon about the attack on the capitol?— on the capitol? i believe at one point. _ on the capitol? i believe at one point, mccarthy - on the capitol? i believe at one point, mccarthy did. . on the capitol? i believe at one point, mccarthy did. i | one point, mccarthy did. i heard my phone ringing, so it was _ heard my phone ringing, so it was leader mccarthy, who i had a good — was leader mccarthy, who i had a good relationship with, he said — a good relationship with, he said it — a good relationship with, he said it was getting ugly at the capitol— said it was getting ugly at the capitol and said please, anything you can do to help, i would — anything you can do to help, i would appreciate it. i got the sense — would appreciate it. i got the sense that they were scared. meaning _ sense that they were scared. meaning leader mccarthy and people on the hill because of the violence?—

people on the hill because of the violence? yes. leader mccarthy. _ the violence? yes. leader mccarthy. one _ the violence? yes. leader mccarthy, one of - the violence? yes. leader mccarthy, one of the - mccarthy, one of the president's strongest supporters was scared and begging for help, president trump turned him down. so he tried the president's children. republican house member mike gallagher also implored the president to call off the attack. ~ . president to call off the attack. ~ , , ., attack. mr president, you have not to attack. mr president, you have got to stop _ attack. mr president, you have got to stop this, _ attack. mr president, you have got to stop this, you _ attack. mr president, you have got to stop this, you are - attack. mr president, you have got to stop this, you are the i got to stop this, you are the only person who can call this off. call it off. the election is over. call it off. president joe biden. _ is over. call it off. president joe biden, president- is over. call it off. president joe biden, president elect i is over. call it off. president i joe biden, president elect joe joe biden, president electjoe biden also went on tv. i joe biden, president elect joe biden also went on tv.- biden also went on tv. i call on president _ biden also went on tv. i call on president trump - biden also went on tv. i call on president trump to - biden also went on tv. i call on president trump to go i biden also went on tv. i call on president trump to go on national television now to fulfil his oath and defend the constitution, and demand an end to this siege.

constitution, and demand an end to this siege-— to this siege. there was a desperate _ to this siege. there was a desperate scramble - to this siege. there was a desperate scramble for i to this siege. there was a - desperate scramble for everyone to get president trump to do anything. all this occurred and the president still did not act. president trump finally relented to the pleas from his staff, his family and from capitol hill for him to do something more at 4.17, more than three hours after he stopped speaking at the ellipse. after he stopped speaking to a mob that he had sent, armed, to the capital. that is when he tweeted a video telling the rioters to go home, while also telling them they were special, and that he loved them. by that time, the violence was far from over. law

enforcement had started to turn the tide. reinforcements on the way. elected officials were in secure locations. back to bread with more information.— back to bread with more information. ~ ., ., ., information. what do you have? our team are — information. what do you have? our team are confirming - information. what do you have? our team are confirming that. our team are confirming that the defence department has now mobilised the entire dc national guard of 1800 troops. it national guard of 1800 troops. it takes — national guard of 1800 troops. it takes several hours to get them — it takes several hours to get them up _ it takes several hours to get them up and running. the army secretary— them up and running. the army secretary is _ them up and running. the army secretary is setting up a headquarters at the fbi and you heard _ headquarters at the fbi and you heard from david that the fbi is also — heard from david that the fbi is also sending troops to the capitol _ is also sending troops to the capitol. it is also sending troops to the ca - itol. . is also sending troops to the caitol. , ., . . capitol. it is no coincidence then that — capitol. it is no coincidence then that the _ capitol. it is no coincidence then that the president - capitol. it is no coincidence i then that the president trump finally gave in and went out to the rose garden at 4:03. his staff prepared a prescription for him to read but he refused to use it. as you can see on the screen you can see the

script the president has seen. the script said, quote, i am asking you to leave the capitol region now and go home in a peaceful way. the president was urged to stick to the script that he spoke of the cough. eric and nick went with the president to film the message in the rose garden. let's hear what they had to say and see the never before seen raw footage of the president recording this video message. ultimately these are marks that we are looking here and exhibit 25 not the remarks that the president delivered in the rose garden. do you know why the president decided not to use these? i president decided not to use these? ., �* ~ ., president decided not to use these? ~ ., , ., these? i don't know, sir, no i do not know— these? i don't know, sir, no i do not know why. _ when you are ready, so.

tell me when. when you are ready — tell me when. when you are read . ~ ., , , tell me when. when you are l ready-_ he tell me when. when you are read . ~ ., . . he has ready. who is behind me? he has one and ready. who is behind me? he has gone and we _ ready. who is behind me? he has gone and we are _ ready. who is behind me? he has gone and we are clear _ ready. who is behind me? he has gone and we are clear now. - ready. who is behind me? he has gone and we are clear now. i - gone and we are clear now. know your gone and we are clear now. i know your pain, i know you are hurt. we had an election... what am i saying? i know your pain and! what am i saying? i know your pain and i know you are hurt. we had an election that was stolen from us. it was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side did it that you have to go home now. we have to have peace. we have to have law and order and we have to respect the great people in law and order. we do not want anybody hurt. it is a tough period of

time, there has never been a period like this where such a thing happened, where they could take it away from all of us. from me, from you, from our country. this was a fraudulent election but we cannot play into the hands of these people. we have to have peace. so go home, we love you, you are very special. we have seen what happens and you see other ways that make the ways that others are treated that are so bad and so evil. i know how you feel but go home and go home in peace. but go home and go home in eace. ~ ., , peace. when i got there they said the president _ peace. when i got there they said the president had - peace. when i got there they said the president had just i said the president had just finished filming the video and ithink— finished filming the video and i think he was basically retiring _ i think he was basically retiring for the day. was there any discussion _ retiring for the day. was there any discussion about - retiring for the day. was there any discussion about the - any discussion about the president— any discussion about the president releasing - any discussion about the president releasing a i any discussion about the - president releasing a second video— president releasing a second video that _ president releasing a second video that day? _ president releasing a second video that day? holt - president releasing a second video that day?— video that day? not that i recall. when _ video that day? not that i recall. when he _ video that day? not that i recall. when he finished i video that day? not that i l recall. when he finished his video i think _ recall. when he finished his video i think everybody i recall. when he finished his| video i think everybody was, like, the day is over and people were drained. you would what? we were drained.-

people were drained. you would what? we were drained. when you sa da what? we were drained. when you say day over. _ what? we were drained. when you say day over, there _ what? we were drained. when you say day over, there were _ what? we were drained. when you say day over, there were still- say day over, there were still people in the capitol at that point, won't there?- people in the capitol at that point, won't there? there were but i believe _ point, won't there? there were but i believe by _ point, won't there? there were but i believe by this _ point, won't there? there were but i believe by this stage, - but i believe by this stage, law enforcement, i would have to go back and look but i believe law enforcement was either there and moving in or going to take charge. people were emotionally drained by the time that videotape was done. emotionally drained? at the white house? here is what was happening at the same time at the capitol. we want the audience that this clip also contains strong language and violence. keep pushing! keep pushing! shouting we have another officer unconscious.

everybody, we need to drop back. we need strong angry patriots to hold our point. small explosions, crowd yelling. ~ ,, , ~ yelling. while president trump refused to yelling. while president trump refused t0 even _ yelling. while president trump refused t0 even un— yelling. while president trump refused to even lift another . refused to even lift another finger to hell, other leaders on their oath and acted to clear the capitol and resume thejoint session. for instance, here i never seen before photos and videos of congressional leaders in action during the attack. this is a portion of a call they had at approximately 4:45 with acting secretary of defence chris miller. we not going to let these

people's keep from finishing our business. so we will get the building clear, give us the ok so we can go back and finish up ok so we can go back and finish up the session. mr ok so we can go back and finish up the session.— up the session. mr secretary, this is senator _ up the session. mr secretary, this is senator schumer. - up the session. mr secretary, | this is senator schumer. some people here in the capitol believe it will take several days to secure the building. do you agree with that analysis? i do not agree with that analysis. do not agree with that analysis-_ do not agree with that anal sis. ., , analysis. so what is the earliest _ analysis. so what is the earliest that _ analysis. so what is the earliest that we - analysis. so what is the earliest that we could l analysis. so what is the - earliest that we could safely resume our proceedings in the senate and house chambers? the earliest we could safely resume? i earliest we could safely resume?— earliest we could safely resume? , ., , ., resume? i prefer to be on the round resume? i prefer to be on the ground but — resume? i prefer to be on the ground but i _ resume? i prefer to be on the ground but i would _ resume? i prefer to be on the ground but i would say - resume? i prefer to be on the ground but i would say we - resume? i prefer to be on the! ground but i would say we are looking — ground but i would say we are looking at _ ground but i would say we are looking at 4— five hours. the looking at 4- five hours. the vice president _ looking at 4- five hours. the vice president also _ looking at 4— five hours. tug; vice president also worked looking at 4— five hours. tug; vice president also worked the vice president also worked the phones from his own secure evacuation location including

conversations with acting secretary of defence miller and other military leaders while past trompe's 4: i7 other military leaders while past trompe's 4: 17 video let's have a look at never before seen photographs of the vice president during this critical time and hear about is conversation with military leaders to secure the capitol and make sure everybody was safe. . , safe. vice president pentz, there were _ safe. vice president pentz, there were two _ safe. vice president pentz, there were two or- safe. vice president pentz, there were two or three - safe. vice president pentz, i there were two or three calls with him. he was animated and very explicit, very direct and unambiguous orders. no question about it and i can get you the exact quotes from some of our records. he was very animated and very direct, very firm to secretary miller. get the car down here, put down this situation, et cetera. figs down here, put down this situation, et cetera. as you heard earlier _ situation, et cetera. as you heard earlier in _ situation, et cetera. as you heard earlier in the - situation, et cetera. as you | heard earlier in the hearing, the president did not call the

vice president or anyone in the military, federal law enforcement or dc government, not a single person. the general millie did hear from mark meadows. the contrast between the call and his calls with vice president pentz tell you everything you need to know about president trump 's dereliction of duty. let's listen. , ., listen. he said this, from memory. _ listen. he said this, from memory. he _ listen. he said this, from memory, he said - listen. he said this, from memory, he said we - listen. he said this, from | memory, he said we have listen. he said this, from i memory, he said we have to listen. he said this, from - memory, he said we have to kill the narrative that the vice president is making all the decisions. we need to establish the narrative that the president is still in charge and that things are steady or stabilised. i interpret that as politics, politics, politics. red flags for me personally, no action, i remember distinctly

and only political narratives. so while president trump and his advisers were drained, other leaders upheld their oath to do the right thing. maybe it was exhausting to get the president to put out that video but think about the law enforcement officers who were attacked by the mob that day. and president trump had summoned them himself to washington. and what about president trump? he watched tv, tweeted, called senators to delay the count, called rudy giuliani and argued with staff who were insinuating and insisting that he should call off the attack. ms matthews, what was your reaction to president trump 's message to the mob at 4:17? i president trump 's message to the mob at 4:17?— the mob at 4:17? i was struck b the the mob at 4:17? i was struck by the fact — the mob at 4:17? i was struck by the fact that _ the mob at 4:17? i was struck by the fact that he _ the mob at 4:17? i was struck by the fact that he chose - the mob at 4:17? i was struck by the fact that he chose to i by the fact that he chose to begin the video by pushing the lie that there was a stolen election and as the video went on i felt a small sense of relief because he finally told

these people to go home but that was immediately followed up that was immediately followed up by that was immediately followed up by him saying we love you, you are very special. and that was disturbing to me because he did not distinguish between those that peacefully attended his speech earlier that day and those who we watched because violence at the capitol. instead he told the people who we had just watched storm our nation's capitol with the intent on overthrowing democracy violently attacked lease offices and chant heinous things such as hang mike pence. he told them we love you you are very special. and as a spokesperson for him i knew that i would be asked to defend that i would be asked to defend that and, to me, his refusal to act and call off the mob that day and his refusal to condemn the violence was indefensible. and so i knew that i would be resigning that evening and so i finished out the work day, went home and called my loved ones

to tell them of my decision and resigned that evening.- resigned that evening. thank ou. resigned that evening. thank you. indefensible. _ resigned that evening. thank you. indefensible. let's - resigned that evening. thank you. indefensible. let's hear| you. indefensible. let's hear what some of your colleagues in the press office told us about their reaction to the same message. i their reaction to the same message-— their reaction to the same messa . e. ~ ., , message. i felt like it was the absolute bare _ message. i felt like it was the absolute bare minimum - message. i felt like it was the absolute bare minimum of- message. i felt like it was the l absolute bare minimum of what could _ absolute bare minimum of what could have been said at that point — could have been said at that point for— could have been said at that point. for something on camera. what _ point. for something on camera. what else — point. for something on camera. what else do you think should have been set?— have been set? so... a more forceful. _ have been set? so... a more forceful, more _ have been set? so... a more forceful, more forceful - forceful, more forceful dismissal of the violence, a more — dismissal of the violence, a more forceful command to go home. _ more forceful command to go home, a _ more forceful command to go home, a more forceful respect for law— home, a more forceful respect for law enforcement, even a comparison to the respect that we had — comparison to the respect that we had given law enforcement as it relates —

we had given law enforcement as it relates to what was done to them — it relates to what was done to them in — it relates to what was done to them in the prior summerand i thought— them in the prior summerand i thought it — them in the prior summerand i thought it was important that acknowledgement be given to the us capitol building itself. what _ us capitol building itself. what it is a symbol of and what it means, — what it is a symbol of and what it means, not only to the people _ it means, not only to the people who work there but to the american people generally and the — the american people generally and the work of congress that, by law, — and the work of congress that, by law, needed to be conducted that day — by law, needed to be conducted that day. do by law, needed to be conducted that da . by law, needed to be conducted thatda. , that day. do you wish in hindsight _ that day. do you wish in hindsight that _ that day. do you wish in hindsight that the - that day. do you wish in - hindsight that the president had asked the protesters to leave the capitol earlier? at}! leave the capitol earlier? of course. leave the capitol earlier? of course- i— leave the capitol earlier? of course. i would have loved that the go — course. i would have loved that the go home _ course. i would have loved that the go home as _ course. i would have loved that the go home as it— course. i would have loved that the go home as it happened . the go home as it happened earlier— the go home as it happened earlier in— the go home as it happened earlier in the _ the go home as it happened earlier in the day. _ the go home as it happened earlier in the day. the - earlier in the day. the president's _ earlier in the day. the president's words - earlier in the day. the - president's words matter. earlier in the day— president's words matter. we know that many of the rioters were listening to president trump. we heard from one last week, stephen. let's listen to what he had to say about that

message at 4:17 from the president and see how rioters reacted to the presidents message in real—time. reacted to the presidents message in real-time. when we were there _ message in real-time. when we were there as _ message in real-time. when we were there as soon _ message in real-time. when we were there as soon as _ message in real-time. when we were there as soon as i - message in real-time. when we were there as soon as i came i were there as soon as i came out everybody started talking about it and it seemed like it started to disburse, you know, some of the crowd.— started to disburse, you know, some of the crowd. donald trump has asked everybody _ some of the crowd. donald trump has asked everybody to _ some of the crowd. donald trump has asked everybody to go - some of the crowd. donald trump has asked everybody to go home. j has asked everybody to go home. thate— has asked everybody to go home. that's our— has asked everybody to go home. that's our order. he has asked everybody to go home. that's our order.— that's our order. he says go home. that's our order. he says go home- he — that's our order. he says go home. he says _ that's our order. he says go home. he says go _ that's our order. he says go home. he says go home. i that's our order. he says go| home. he says go home. he that's our order. he says go - home. he says go home. he said to no home. he says go home. he said to go home- _ home. he says go home. he said to go home. but— home. he says go home. he said to go home. butjust _ home. he says go home. he said to go home. butjust as - home. he says go home. he said to go home. butjust as he - to go home. but 'ust as he said, to go home. but 'ust as he said. police _ to go home. but 'ust as he said, police was _ to go home. butjust as he said, police was still- to go home. butjust as he i said, police was still fending off the last throes of the brutal assault. off the last throes of the brutalassault. i off the last throes of the brutal assault. i yield to the gentleman from illinois. everyone else was working to get congress back in session what to president trump do? at

six: 01a minute after the citywide curfew went into effect he posted his final tweet of the day. engaging —— president trump tweeted and justified the violence as a natural response to the election. he said, quote these are things and events that happened when a landslide victory is unceremoniously viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly and unfairly treated for so long. go home with love and peace and remember this day. for ever. he called the mob great patriots. he told people to remember the day forever. he showed absolutely no remorse. a few minutes later at 627 the president left the dining room and he went up to the white house residence for the night.

on the screen is the last photograph of the president that night as he went into the residence. as he was gathering his things in the dining room to leave, president trump reflected on the days events with the white house employee. this was the same employee who had met president trump in the oval office after he returned from the ellipse. president trump said nothing to the employee about the attack. he said only, quote mike pence let me down. ms matthews, what was your reaction to that tweet? at that point i had already made the decision to resign and this tweetjust further this tweet just further cemented my decision. i thought that generally six, 2021 was one of the darkest days in our nation's history and president trump was treating it as a celebratory occasion with that

tweet and itjust celebratory occasion with that tweet and it just further cemented my decision to resign. others agreed with your assessment of that tweet, let's have a look at what they had to say. have a look at what they had to sa . ~ ., have a look at what they had to sa , ~ ., ., have a look at what they had to sa .~ ., have a look at what they had to sa. ., say. who asked you about that tweet before _ say. who asked you about that tweet before it _ say. who asked you about that tweet before it was _ say. who asked you about that tweet before it was sent? - say. who asked you about that tweet before it was sent? the | tweet before it was sent? the president- _ tweet before it was sent? the president. alice _ tweet before it was sent? the president. alice about - tweet before it was sent? the president. alice about that i president. alice about that conversation and _ president. alice about that l conversation and everything that you set and he said to the best of your recollection. sure, so he said, what do you think— sure, so he said, what do you think of— sure, so he said, what do you think of this? and i believe i saw— think of this? and i believe i saw the, _ think of this? and i believe i saw the, on his phone, and are remember— saw the, on his phone, and are remember saying to him, the wording — remember saying to him, the wording on the first sentence, a guess— wording on the first sentence, a guess it's one long sentence but the — a guess it's one long sentence but the wording on the first sentence would lead some to believe — sentence would lead some to believe that potentially he had something to do with the event that happened at the capitol. and what did he say? i that happened at the capitol. and what did he say?- and what did he say? i don't recall him saying _ and what did he say? i don't recall him saying anything i and what did he say? i don't recall him saying anything in response to that, believe that was the — response to that, believe that was the end of the conversation

stipulated he change anything in light— stipulated he change anything in light of your comments? no sir, in light of your comments? no sir. he — in light of your comments? no sir. he did— in light of your comments? no sir, he did not.— in light of your comments? no sir, he did not. and what about this made _ sir, he did not. and what about this made you _ sir, he did not. and what about this made you think— sir, he did not. and what about this made you think that - this made you think that someone might perceive the president having a role in the violent of the capitol? it president having a role in the violent of the capitol?- violent of the capitol? it was my interpretation _ violent of the capitol? it was my interpretation of - violent of the capitol? it was my interpretation of the - violent of the capitol? it was i my interpretation of the words, i don't — my interpretation of the words, i don't write speeches or anything but the phrase, these other— anything but the phrase, these other things that happen, to me, — other things that happen, to me, sounded as if culpability was — me, sounded as if culpability was associated with it. | me, sounded as if culpability was associated with it. i don't think it's a — was associated with it. i don't think it's a patriotic _ was associated with it. i don't think it's a patriotic act - was associated with it. i don't think it's a patriotic act to - think it's a patriotic act to attack the capital, but i have no idea how to characterise the people, other than they trespassed, destroyed property, and assaulted the us capitol. ! and assaulted the us capitol. i think calling them patriots ism — think calling them patriots ism let's_ think calling them patriots is... let's say, a stretch to say— is... let's say, a stretch to say the _ is... let's say, a stretch to say the least. is is. .. let's say, a stretch to say the least.— is... let's say, a stretch to say the least. is that all that is, a stretch? _ say the least. is that all that is, a stretch? 0r— say the least. is that all that is, a stretch? orjust- say the least. is that all that is, a stretch? orjust flatly l is, a stretch? orjust flatly wrong? i is, a stretch? or 'ust flatly wron: ? ., �* ~' , is, a stretch? or 'ust flatly

wronu? ., �* ~ , ., wrong? i don't think it is a patriotic — wrong? i don't think it is a patriotic act _ wrong? i don't think it is a patriotic act to _ wrong? i don't think it is a patriotic act to attack - wrong? i don't think it is a patriotic act to attack the l wrong? i don't think it is a l patriotic act to attack the us capitot _ patriotic act to attack the us caitol. ~ ., ,, patriotic act to attack the us caitol. ~ ., i. capitol. would you call it unpatriotic? _ capitol. would you call it unpatriotic? criminal. i unpatriotic? criminal. unpatriotic, _ unpatriotic? criminal. unpatriotic, sure. i unpatriotic? criminal. i unpatriotic, sure. what happened _ unpatriotic, sure. what happened at _ unpatriotic, sure. what happened at the - unpatriotic, sure. what| happened at the capitol unpatriotic, sure. what- happened at the capitol cannot be justified happened at the capitol cannot bejustified in happened at the capitol cannot be justified in any form or fashion. it was wrong and it was tragic and... and it was a terrible day. it was a terrible day for this country. i terrible day. it was a terrible day for this country. i thought it was an _ day for this country. i thought it was an appropriate. - day for this country. i thought it was an appropriate. why? i day for this country. i thought. it was an appropriate. why? to m mind it was an appropriate. why? to my mind it _ it was an appropriate. why? to my mind it was _ it was an appropriate. why? to my mind it was a _ it was an appropriate. why? to my mind it was a day _ it was an appropriate. why? to my mind it was a day that i my mind it was a day that should _ my mind it was a day that should be remembered in infamy. that wasn't— should be remembered in infamy. that wasn't the tenor of this tweet — that wasn't the tenor of this tweet. , , , ., . ., tweet. despite the violence of the da , tweet. despite the violence of the day. the _ tweet. despite the violence of the day, the effort _ tweet. despite the violence of the day, the effort to - tweet. despite the violence of the day, the effort to delay i the day, the effort to delay the day, the effort to delay the certification continued. that evening, rudy giuliani called several of president trump ausmat closest political allies in the hour before the joint session resumed. representative jim jordan and senators marshall blackburn, tommy tuberville, bill hegarty, lindsey graham, josh kelly and

ted cruz. we know why misty giuliani was calling them because at two minutes past seven he left a voicemail for senator tuberville which later became public. let's listen to just the start of it.— just the start of it. senator tuberville, _ just the start of it. senator tuberville, or— just the start of it. senator tuberville, or i _ just the start of it. senator tuberville, or i should i just the start of it. senator tuberville, or! should is i just the start of it. senator tuberville, or i should is a | tuberville, or i should is a coach tuberville, this is rudy giuliani, president's lawyer. i'm calling you because they want to discuss with you how they're planning to rush this hearing and how we need you, our republican friends to try to just slow it down so we can get these legislatures to get more information to you. misty giuliani did — more information to you. misty giuliani did not _ more information to you. misty giuliani did not even _ more information to you. misty giuliani did not even mention i giuliani did not even mention the attack on the capitol. instead he was pushing on behalf of president trump to get members of congress to further delay the certification. even though some members did proceed with objections, vice president p and congress stood firm and successfully concluded the joint session in the early morning hours ofjanuary seven.

here's what some of the members of the president's party said in the days and weeks after the attack. , ., , ., attack. there is no question, done, attack. there is no question, done. that — attack. there is no question, done, that president - attack. there is no question, done, that president trumpl attack. there is no question, | done, that president trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. no question about it.

there is no excuse for it. a woman died and people need to go to jail and the president should never have spun up certain americans to believe something that simply cannot be. ., i: i: . ., be. certified to 2020 election results. soon _ be. certified to 2020 election results. soon after— be. certified to 2020 election results. soon after this i results. soon after this statement by president trump was posted on a twitter account because the president's account by now had been suspended. as you can see, president trump stuck with his big lie that the election was stolen. he did say

they would be bodily tradition but the statement wasn't his idea. we were told that after the joint session started heard nothing from president trump or the white house about assuring the it upon himself to draft the statement and called the president around 930 last night to convince him to put it out stopping let's listen to what he had to say. did stopping let's listen to what he had to say.— stopping let's listen to what he had to say. did he disagree with something _ he had to say. did he disagree with something that _ he had to say. did he disagree with something that he - he had to say. did he disagree with something that he put i he had to say. did he disagree with something that he put in| with something that he put in the statement, some particular word _ the statement, some particular word or— the statement, some particular word or phrase he did not want included? _ word or phrase he did not want included? i word or phrase he did not want included? ., word or phrase he did not want included?— included? iwould say 'ust, he wanted to i included? iwould say 'ust, he wanted to say i included? iwould sayjust, he wanted to say peaceful - wanted to say peaceful transition _ wanted to say peaceful transition and - wanted to say peaceful transition and i- wanted to say peaceful transition and i said i wanted to say peacefuli transition and i said that wanted to say peaceful - transition and i said that ship has thought— transition and i said that ship has thought of— transition and i said that ship has thought of already - transition and i said that ship has thought of already sailed j has thought of already sailed so we're _ has thought of already sailed so we're going _ has thought of already sailed so we're going to _ has thought of already sailed so we're going to say- has thought of already sailed so we're going to say orderlyj so we're going to say orderly transition _ so we're going to say orderly transition. that _ so we're going to say orderly transition. that was - so we're going to say orderly transition. that was about i so we're going to say orderlyl transition. that was about the extent— transition. that was about the extent of— transition. that was about the extent of disagreement - transition. that was about the extent of disagreement or i extent of disagreement or pushback_ extent of disagreement or pushback from _ extent of disagreement or pushback from the - extent of disagreement or - pushback from the conversation. the last— pushback from the conversation. the last person _ pushback from the conversation. the last person president - pushback from the conversation. the last person president trumpj the last person president trump spoke to by phone that night

wasjohnny macro—10, head of personnel. mr mcatee said that they talked about the events of they talked about the events of the day and the multiple resignations by resignation officials. the decision to resign with one that weighed heavily on people in the administration. on the one hand people like mr pottinger and ms mathews here, as proud as they were to have served refused to be associated with the dereliction of duty, but others were sincerely worried that leaving president trump to his own devices would put the country a continued risk listen to what we heard about that tension from pat cipollone, general matt millar and eugene scalia who was the secretary of the. �* ., ., , ., the. and then, after that, some --eole the. and then, after that, some people were _ the. and then, after that, some people were resigning - the. and then, after that, somej people were resigning obviously overjanuary six, we know who they were, did i consider it? yes. did i do it? no. what i'm concerned about is if people in

the council's office left, who would replace me? and i had some concerns that it might be somebody who had been giving bad advice. {lin somebody who had been giving bad advice-— bad advice. on the morning of the seventh, _ bad advice. on the morning of the seventh, the _ bad advice. on the morning of the seventh, the decision i i the seventh, the decision i arrived _ the seventh, the decision i arrived at was that the most construct _ arrived at was that the most construct of thing i could think— construct of thing i could think of— construct of thing i could think of was to seek a meeting of the — think of was to seek a meeting of the cabinet. i thought that trying — of the cabinet. i thought that trying to— of the cabinet. i thought that trying to work within the administration to steady the ship — administration to steady the ship was _ administration to steady the ship was likely to have greater value — ship was likely to have greater value than simply resigning, after— value than simply resigning, after which point they would have — after which point they would have been powerless to, the administration. i don't remember why, administration. i don't rememberwhy, i administration. i don't remember why, i think it probably had something to do with how the resident might react— with how the resident might react and things like that.

there _ react and things like that. there was a couple of calls where _ there was a couple of calls where meadows _ there was a couple of calls where meadows and/or i there was a couple of calls i where meadows and/or mike pompeo _ where meadows and/or mike pompeo but _ where meadows and/or mike pompeo but more _ where meadows and/or mike| pompeo but more meadows, where meadows and/or mike - pompeo but more meadows, pompeo might— pompeo but more meadows, pompeo might say. _ pompeo but more meadows, pompeo might say. how— pompeo but more meadows, pompeo might say, how is _ pompeo but more meadows, pompeo might say, how is the _ pompeo but more meadows, pompeo might say, how is the president - might say, how is the president doing _ might say, how is the president doing and — might say, how is the president doing and he _ might say, how is the president doing and he would _ might say, how is the president doing and he would say, - might say, how is the president doing and he would say, like i doing and he would say, like here's— doing and he would say, like here's one _ doing and he would say, like here's one for— doing and he would say, like here's one for example. i doing and he would say, like here's one for example. oni doing and he would say, like i here's one for example. on the seventh. — here's one for example. on the seventh. of— here's one for example. on the seventh, ofjanuary, _ here's one for example. on the seventh, ofjanuary, so- here's one for example. on the seventh, ofjanuary, so this i here's one for example. on the seventh, ofjanuary, so this is i seventh, ofjanuary, so this is the day— seventh, ofjanuary, so this is the day after. _ seventh, ofjanuary, so this is the day after, potus - seventh, ofjanuary, so this is the day after, potus is - seventh, ofjanuary, so this is the day after, potus is very. the day after, potus is very emotional— the day after, potus is very emotional and _ the day after, potus is very emotional and in— the day after, potus is very emotional and in a - the day after, potus is very emotional and in a bad i the day after, potus is very. emotional and in a bad place. as you — emotional and in a bad place. as you heard _ emotional and in a bad place. as you heard secretary - emotional and in a bad place. | as you heard secretary scalia, wanted president trump to convene a cabinet meeting. he put his request and a memo to the president and here is what it said. you can see that secretary scalia recommended that the president quote, no longer publicly questioned the election results, after wednesday, no—one can deny this is harmful. secretary scalia also highlighted the importance of the public knowing the president would invoke his

cabinet in decision—making and not certain private individuals. the secretary scalia did not say it, he was referring to rudy giuliani and the rest of the so—called clown car working with president trump to try to overturn the election. secretary scalia understood that the president needed to do more to reassure the public about the last few weeks of the trump administration. mr pottinger, when you made the decision to resign, did you walk out of the white house immediately. h0. resign, did you walk out of the white house immediately. no, i wanted to first _ white house immediately. no, i wanted to first talk _ white house immediately. no, i wanted to first talk to _ white house immediately. no, i wanted to first talk to my i wanted to first talk to my immediate boss, that was the national security adviser robert o'brien, robert o'brien was travelling on the sixth. i've reached him at about half past four and told him that i was submitting my resignation. he accepted the resignation but he also asked whether they

could stay until he could get back to the white house, and i agreed to that. we both wanted to make sure that i was leaving in a responsible way. we still have foreign adversaries to worry about, hackers, terrorists, nation states and i did not want to leave my chair empty, given that i was the top national security staff are in the white house. so i ended up staying at my desk through the night, when robert o'brien arrived back at the white house the next morning, the morning of the seventh id briefed with him and left for the last time. so you and i both share a passion for national security of our country. can you share with me, what is your view on how january six impacted with me, what is your view on howjanuary six impacted our national security?— howjanuary six impacted our national security? well, when ou national security? well, when you have _ national security? well, when

you have a — national security? well, when you have a presidential i you have a presidential transmission dominic transition, even under the best circumstances it is a time of vulnerability. when you have a contested election, i was certainly concerned that some of our adverse areas would be ten did to probe or test us resolve. as an example, in late december, the iranian government attacked the us embassy in baghdad. they did that using some of their terrorist proxies. president trump did handle that, he sent a very clear warning to the ayatollahs and his regime, which i think had a useful effect. i think that we would have handled other threats of that nature and luckily no other threat materialised before the inauguration on the

20th, but our national security was harmed in a different way by january six was harmed in a different way byjanuary six and was harmed in a different way by january six and that is that it, ithink it by january six and that is that it, i think it emboldened our enemies by helping give them ammunition to feed a narrative that our system of government doesn't work, that the united states is in decline, china, the putin regime in russia, tehran, they are fond of putting those kinds of narratives and by the way, they are wrong. we have been hearing for the entirety of us history, from kings and experts that the united states is in decline and those kings and experts have been proven wrong every single time, but nonetheless, january six helped feed a perception that i think emboldens our

adverse areas. the other part i think is simply our allies. i heard from a lot of friends in europe, asia, allies, close friends and supporters of the united states that they were concerned about the health of our democracy, and so i think it is incumbent upon us to put their minds at ease, to put our own hearts at ease by investigating what happened on the sixth and making sure that it never happens again. i've always said democracies are not defined by bad days, they are defined by bad days, they are defined by bad days, they are defined by how they recover from those bad days and that is what we're doing here, is to bring accountability to that so that we can come back even stronger than when we went into january six. m5 stronger than when we went into january sitc— january six. ms mathews, as you left the white — january six. ms mathews, as you left the white house _ january six. ms mathews, as you left the white house for - january six. ms mathews, as you left the white house for the i left the white house for the last time that night, january six, what did you think americans needed to hearfrom president trump? ! americans needed to hear from president trump?— president trump? i think that the american _ president trump? i think that the american people - president trump? i think that the american people needed| president trump? i think that i the american people needed to hear and see the american people needed to

hearand see him the american people needed to hear and see him publicly commit to a peaceful or at least orderly transition of power. in the aftermath of the capital attack, power. in the aftermath of the capitalattack, it power. in the aftermath of the capital attack, it wasn't enough for us to ask him to condemn the violence, he need to agree that he would peacefully transfer power over to the incoming administration because that is one of our fundamentals and what it means to live in a democracy so that evening when i resigned, the resignation statement that i'd drafted, are referenced this and i said our nation needs a peaceful transfer of power, in hopes that it would put some sort of public pressure on the white house and president trump to publicly agree to an orderly transition.— transition. thank you. i yield to my friend _ transition. thank you. i yield to my friend from _ transition. thank you. i yield to my friend from virginia. i to my friend from virginia. thank you mr kinzinger. the stuff that were at the white house on the morning ofjanuary seven needed that the president needed to address the nation again and they had a speech prepared for him that morning but he refused four hours to give it. as you heard cassidy

hutchinson testify previously, president trump finally agreed to record an address to the nation later that evening, the evening of january seven, because of concerns he might be removed from power under the 25th amendment or by impeachment. we know these threats were real. sean hannity said so himself in a text message that day to press secretary kayleigh mcenany. he wrote. no more stolen election. yes impeachment and 25th amendment are real. we obtained that never before seen raw footage of the president recording is address to the nation that day onjanuary seven, more than 24 hours after the last time he had addressed the last time he had addressed the nation from the rose garden. let's take a look. whenever you are ready, sir. i

whenever you are ready, sir. would like wheneveryou are ready, sir. i would like to begin by addressing the heinous attack yesterday, and to those who broke the law, you will pay. you do not represent our movement, you do not represent our country, and if you broke the law... can't say that. i'm not going to say that, i've already said you will pay. the demonstrators who infiltrated the capitol have defied the seat, defiled, right? see, i can't see it very well. let's do this, let's go. but this election is now over. congress has certified the results, either want to say the election is over, just want to say, congress has certified the results, without saying the election is over, 0k? . now congress has... i didn't say over, so let me see, go to the paragraph before? 0k?

over, so let me see, go to the paragraph before? ok? i would like to begin by addressing the heinous attack yesterday, yesterday is a hard word for me. oh, good. take the word yesterday because it doesn't work with. .. yesterday because it doesn't work with... heinous attack... on our country, say on our country's we say that? my only goal was to ensure the integrity of the vote. my only goal was to ensure the integrity of the vote. fin integrity of the vote. on january _ integrity of the vote. on january seven, - integrity of the vote. on january seven, one day after he incited an insurrection based on a lie, president trump still couldn't say that the election was over. mr pottinger, you've taken the oath multiple times in the marines and as an official in the executive

branch. can you please share with us your view about the oath of office and how that translates into accepting election results and a transfer of power?— of power? sure. this isn't the first time _ of power? sure. this isn't the first time that _ of power? sure. this isn't the first time that we _ of power? sure. this isn't the first time that we have - of power? sure. this isn't the first time that we have had i of power? sure. this isn't the first time that we have had a | first time that we have had a close election, in this country, and president trump certainly had every right to challenge in court the results of these various elections. but once you've had due process, under the law, you have to conform with the law, no matter how bitter the result. once you've presented your evidence in court, judges have heard that evidence, judges have ruled, if you continue to contest an election, you are notjust contest an election, you are not just contesting contest an election, you are notjust contesting an election anymore, you are actually challenging the constitution itself, you are challenging the societal norms that allow us to

remain unified. i think that one example, for example you've got vice president richard nixon back in 1960 had lost a hardfought election against senatorjohn f. kennedy. there were irregularities in that vote according to a lot of the histories and a lot of vice president nixon's supporters ask him to fight, contest it, don't concede. but in one of his finest moments, vice president nixon said no, he said it would tear of the country to pieces and he conceded to jack kennedy and announced that he was going to support him as the next president. we have an example of the democratic candidate for president, vice president al gore who faced a very similar dilemma. he strongly disagreed

with the supreme court decision that lost his election bid and allowed president george w bush to take office, but he gave a speech of concession in late december, mid or late december of 2000, where he said that this is for the sake of the unity of us as a people on the strength of our democracy, i also am going to concede, i and going to support the new president. has speech is actually a pretty good model, i think for any candidate for any office up to and including the president and from any party to read particularly right now. the oath that our presidents take, it is very similar to the oath of office i took is a us marine officer and the oath i took as a white house official.

it is to support and defend the constitution, it is to protect the constitution, to bear true faith and allegiance to the constitution and it is a sacred oath. it's an oath that we take before our families, oath. it's an oath that we take before ourfamilies, we oath. it's an oath that we take before our families, we take that oath before god and i think that we have an obligation to live by that oath and i do still believe that we have the most ingenious system of government on earth, despite its imperfections. i don't envy countries that don't have this system that actually allows for a predictable, peaceful transfer of government every 4— eight years and it's not something that we should take for granted. something that we should take for granted-— for granted. thank you. as we heard at the _ for granted. thank you. as we heard at the start _ for granted. thank you. as we heard at the start of _ for granted. thank you. as we heard at the start of the i heard at the start of the hearing, in the immediate

aftermath of january six, republican leader kevin mccarthy understood that president trump or responsibility for that day and should have taken immediate action to stop the violence. he was even more candid or calls with republican colleagues. as you will hear in a moment, recordings of some of these calls that were later published by the new york times, context for these calls was that a resolution had been introduced in the house calling for vice president pence and the cabinet to remove president trump from power under the 25th amendment. let's listen. power under the 25th amendment. let's listen-— let's listen. i've had it with this guy- — let's listen. i've had it with this guy. what _ let's listen. i've had it with this guy. what he - let's listen. i've had it with this guy. what he did i let's listen. i've had it with this guy. what he did is i this guy. what he did is unacceptable. nobody can defend that and nobody should defend it. the only discussion they would have with him is that i think this will pass and it will be my recommendation he should resign. ithink will be my recommendation he should resign. i think that would be my take but i don't think he would take it, but i don't know.—

think he would take it, but i don't know. �* , , don't know. but let me be very clear to all _ don't know. but let me be very clear to all of _ don't know. but let me be very clear to all of you _ don't know. but let me be very clear to all of you and - don't know. but let me be very clear to all of you and i - don't know. but let me be very clear to all of you and i have i clear to all of you and i have been very clear to the president. he bears responsibility for his words and actions, no f, ands or buts. ba asked him personally today, as he holds responsibility for what happened? responsibility for what happened ? does responsibility for what happened? does he feel bad about what happened? he told me he does have some responsibility for what happened, and he needed to acknowledge that.— acknowledge that. president trum - acknowledge that. president trump has — acknowledge that. president trump has never _ acknowledge that. president trump has never publicly i trump has never publicly acknowledged his responsibility for the attack. the only time he apparently did so was in that private call with kevin mccarthy. there is something else president trump has never acknowledged, the names and the memories of the officers who died following the attack on the capitol. we are honoured to be joined tonight by police and first responders who bravely protected us onjanuary first responders who bravely protected us on january six. your character and courage give us hope that democracy can and

should prevail, even in the face of a violent insurrection. we on this diocese can never thank you enough for what you did to protect our democracy. onjanuary nine, two of president trump's top campaign officials texted each other about the president's glaring silence on the tragic death of capitol police officer who succumbed to his injuries the night ofjanuary succumbed to his injuries the night of january seventh. succumbed to his injuries the night ofjanuary seventh. his campaign officials were trump's director of communications in one of his deputies. theirjob was to convince people to vote for president trump so that knew his heart, his mind and his voice as well as anyone and they knew how he connects with his supporters. here is what they had to say about their boss. also shifty not to have acknowledged the death of the

capitol police officer. no way. president trump did not then and does not now have the character or courage to say to the american people what his own people know to be true. he is responsible for the attack on the capitol onjanuary six. thank you and our yield to the gentleman from illinois. thank

ou. gentleman from illinois. thank you- tonight's _ gentleman from illinois. thank you. tonight's testimony i gentleman from illinois. thank you. tonight's testimony and i you. tonight's testimony and evidence is as sobering as it is straightforward. within minutes of stepping off the... stage, donald trump knew about the violent attack on the capital. from the comfort of his dining room he watched on tv as the attack escalated. he sent tweets that inflamed and expressed support for the desire of some to literally kill vice president mike pence. for three hours he refused to call off the attack. donald trump refused to take the urgent advice he received that day. not from his political opponents or from the liberal media but from his own family, his own friend, his own staff and his own advisors. in the midst of an attack when there was no time for politics, the

people closest to trump told him the truth. it was his supporters attacking the capitol and he alone could get through to them. so they plead for him to act. to place his country above himself. still, he refused to lead and to meet the moment to honour his oath. it was only once the vice president and the members of congress were in secure locations and the officers defending the capitol began to turn the tide that then president trump engaged in the political theatre of telling the mob to go home and even then, he told them all they were special and that he loved them. whatever your politics, whatever you think about the outcome of the election, we as americans must all agree on this: donald trump's conduct on

january six was a supreme violation of his oath it isa it is a stain on our history. it is a dishonour to all those who have sacrificed and died in service of our democracy. when we present our full findings we will recommend changes to laws and policies to guard against anotherjanuary 6th. the reason that it anotherjanuary 6th. the reason thatitis anotherjanuary 6th. the reason that it is imperative is that the forces of donald trump ignited that day have not gone away. the militant, intolerant aetiologies, the militias, the alienation and disaffection, the weird fantasies and disinformation. they are all still out there, ready to go. that is the elephant in the room. but ifjanuary that is the elephant in the room. but if january 6th has reminded us of anything, i pray

it has reminded