1/6 Insurrection Investigation

[Rick Plant]

Liz Cheney Warns Critics Of Jan. 6 Investigation Exactly What To Expect
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/liz-cheney-warns-critics-jan-085709829.html

[Rick Plant]

Jan. 6 Committee subpoenas six new witnesses — including Giuliani ally and Arizona fake audit architect



Six new witnesses were called by the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Among those were Trump allies Lara Cox, Douglas Mastriano, Michael Roman and Gary Michael Brown.

Cox was a witness of note because, as the committee explained, she engaged with Rudy Giuliani in the Michigan efforts to recruit phony "alternate" electors.

Others called are Arizona Republican Rep. Mark W. Finchem and former Arizona Republican Sen. Kelli Ward, both of whom were part of the partisan "audit" of the Arizona vote, which ultimately found that Joe Biden won the presidency by even more votes than the official tally.

"In the days after the Associated Press and Fox News declared that now-President Biden had won the presidential election in Arizona, you reportedly sent text messages to an Arizona election official in which you said, 'We need you to stop the counting,' asked the official to contact a lawyer representing the Trump campaign, and said, 'I know you don't want to be remembered as the guy who led the charge to certify a fraudulent election,'" the documents say.

Ward now serves as the Republican Party chair in Arizona.

NEW: Jan. 6 panel issues six new subpoenas tied to the fake electors scheme, including AZ GOP Chair Kelli Ward and PA GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano.

Panel also up to more than 550 witnesses.

The full list of new subpoena targets and their roles via the panel:







https://www.rawstory.com/january-6-committee-subpoena-additions/

[Rick Plant]

Trump ally hit with Jan. 6 subpoena as committee digs into GOP's phony electors scheme



The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and efforts to overturn the 2020 election issued subpoenas for six more people Tuesday, including state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin.

Mastriano, an ally of former President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial candidate, attended the “Save America” rally, the morning precursor to the deadly riot. He has denied engaging in violence, but the state senator appears to have been much closer to the Capitol than he initially claimed, according to video footage.

In a statement, the U.S. House committee said Mastriano — who did not respond to a call seeking comment — was “part of a plan to arrange for an alternate slate of electors” and reportedly spoke with Trump about “post-election activities.” The panel cited a Nov. 28, 2020, tweet from Mastriano, who said he was advocating for the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Legislature to appoint Electoral College delegates.

Leading up to the 2020 election and in the year since now-President Joe Biden took office, Mastriano has amplified baseless claims of voter fraud. He passed off the wrong information about mail-in ballot totals and hosted a November 2020 hearing in Gettysburg where Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and other supporters parroted unsubstantiated claims of fraud before a panel of Republican lawmakers.

In June, he launched a so-called “forensic investigation” of the 2020 election and made a sweeping request for election equipment and voter information in Philadelphia, York, and Tioga counties.

Mastriano toured the GOP-backed election review in Arizona last summer. He was joined by House Judiciary Committee Chair Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin, and Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee Chair Cris Dush, R-Jefferson, who is now leading the taxpayer-funded election investigation.

Since Mastriano, still a member of the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, was stripped of his committee chair assignment, he has stayed quiet about the review and its progress.

He has also refused to speak to his involvement with an election review in Fulton County, carried out by a private firm with ties to Sidney Powell, a pro-Trump lawyer who helped file lawsuits to challenge the 2020 election.

Records obtained by the Capital-Star and government watchdogs through Right-to-Know Law requests confirm that Mastriano and Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, who also serves on the Senate panel leading the investigation, helped facilitate an off-the-books, third-party review in the rural Pennsylvania county after the 2020 election.

Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence.

https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/u-s-house-committee-subpoenas-sen-doug-mastriano-as-part-of-jan-6-investigation/

[Rick Plant]

Detention document of Jan. 6 attacker uncovers 'sleeper conspiracies': legal analyst



A detention memo is revealing startling details about those linked to Capitol attacker Marshall Neefe that include "a mix of fascist-curious, QAnon and guns," said legal analyst Marcy Wheeler.

The court documents outline Neefe's "history of extremist views and violent rhetoric," which led the court to consider making a “forward-looking determination about the serious risk."

Neefe expressed a desire for "civil war to settle political differences" and made statements about "committing violence against those he feels are pitted against him."

In a Nov. 4, 2020, conversation with someone named Brad Smith, Neefe expressed his heartbreak over Donald Trump's election loss.

“We all deep down knew this was how the election was going to go. Now if Trump wins the riots will be 50 times worse," said Smith.

Neefe replied, “Hope it burns either way.”

"Me to (sic)," Smith said. "This country needs to split up immediately."

“Why shouldnt we be the ones to kick it off?” Neefe replied.

The court documents note that on Nov. 6, 2020, a friend messaged Neefe asking, “Is Biden really going to win? How is the only question.”

Neefe told the person, “at this point it doesn’t matter who wins to me. Brad and I predict this goes go supreme (sic) court and trump (sic) gets the win, then the country goes to war. All jokes aside damned if we do damned if we don’t. This place is about to burn and we are getting a survival/escape plan together. Hence the maps.”

On Dec. 1, 2020, Smith told Neffe, “This wouldn't be happening if Germany won. I’m real close to liking full blown fascism. Fascism is one of the most lied about political ideologies ever and if you look it up it'll give you like 6 completely different definitions but we all know what it is. Its culture, heritage, family history, tradition. And Nobody hates a Communist more than a fascist lol.”

Neefe replied, “Id (sic) rather be a racist, fascist hate monger than a liar 🤷🤷.”

Smith told him, “If this is what winning the war means then I’m a fascist.”

Neefe replied, “Hell id (sic)rather be a ni**er than a commie . . . These sick f***s really do need to start getting turned into mist.”

On Dec. 12, 2020, he posted a photo of an outdoor setting saying, "Out here lynchin that ni**er uncle ben as we speak."

Another user responded: "What tree you using?"

Neefe replied, "Rope on my bumper works wonders."

In another conversation about Sen. Mitch McConnell, Neffe claimed the Kentucky Republican needed "a bullet in the head."

"As reported in the FBI’s summary of that interview, Neefe said he was heavily influenced by QAnon conspiracy theories and that he and Smith discussed plans to travel to Washington within a month of Jan. 6, 2021," the document continues. "He admitted making a wooden club with an American flag stapled to it to take Washington to serve as a barrier between himself and 'possible Antifa.'"

His conspiracies continue through the 29-page document.

https://www.rawstory.com/capitol-attacker-racism-conspiricies-memo/

[Rick Plant]

Text messages showcase the chaos and desperation inside Trumpworld on January 6



Thousands of text messages turned over to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol that were published on Wednesday by The Washington Post reveal that key figures inside former President Donald Trump’s orbit were thrust into a quagmire of chaos, confusion, desperation and panic before and during the deadly siege.

A blizzard of exchanges between administration officials, media personalities, lawmakers and members of Trump’s family has illuminated the numerous and largely fruitless attempts that were made to implore Trump to quell the violent unrest.

Committee member Representative Elaine Luria (D-Virginia) said the exchanges are “key to the investigation — they tie things together and there’s an immediacy to the texts,” adding, “you can tease out the facts and learn more about personal relationships.”

For example, Fox News host Sean Hannity – despite promoting Trump’s lie to his audience that the 2020 election was stolen – was found to be in frequent communication with then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

“We can’t lose the entire WH counsels [sic] office. I do NOT see January 6 happening the way he is being told. After the 6th. He should announce will lead the nationwide effort to reform voting integrity,” Hannity wrote of Trump on New Year’s Eve after Trump had tried to strongarm the Department of Justice into seizing voting machines.

On January 5th, Hannity expressed to Meadows that he was “very worried about the next 48 hours. Pence pressure. White House counsel will leave,” referring to Trump’s foredoomed scheme to have ex-Vice President Mike Pence throw out President Joe Biden’s Electoral College victories in several swing states.

That concern was shared by an unidentified member of the House Freedom Caucus, who wrote to Meadows on January 2nd that “if POTUS allows this to occur… we’re driving a stake in the heart of the federal republic.”

Three days later, former Defense Department Inspector General Joseph Schmitz wrote to election objector Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) that “on January 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence, as President of the Senate, should call out all electoral votes that he believes are unconstitutional as no electoral votes at all -- in accordance with guidance from founding father Alexander Hamilton and judicial precedence. ‘No legislative act,’ wrote Alexander Hamilton in Federalist No. 78, ‘contrary to the Constitution, can be valid.’”

On the day of the attack – while hundreds of armed Trump supporters charged through the barricades and breached the halls of Congress with the objective of assassinating Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) – Hannity pled with Meadows to have Trump intervene.

“Can he make a statement? Ask people to peacefully leave the [Capitol],” Hannity said.

Fox News hosts Brian Kilmeade and Laura Ingraham also begged Meadows to force the president – who was watching the events unfold on television – to do something.

“Please get him on tv. Destroying everything you have accomplished,” Kilmeade said.

“Mark, the president needs to tell people in the Capitol to go home. This is hurting all of us. He is destroying his legacy,” said Ingraham.

Meadows received additional texts from as-yet-unnamed Republican lawmakers who were trapped on Capitol Hill:

“It’s really bad up here on the Hill.” - GOP member 1

“Mark, he needs to stop this now.” - GOP member 2

“TELL THEM TO GO HOME.” - GOP member 3

“Some members sheltered in the Rotunda, where they were instructed to put on gas masks from under their seats, while others sprinted to offices where they hid in silence with frightened staff,” the Post noted.

“The president needs to stop this ASAP.” - GOP member 1

“Fix this now.” - GOP member 2

“POTUS has to come out firmly and tell protestors to dissipate. Someone is going to get killed.” - individual located outside of the White House

Punchbowl News reporter Jake Sherman also reached out to Meadows during the assault, but to no avail.

“Do something for us,” he wrote. “We are under siege in the cpaitol [sic]. There’s an armed standoff at the house chamber door. We’re all helpless.”

Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., begged Meadows to get his father to act.

“He’s got to condemn this s**t ASAP. The Capitol Police tweet is not enough,” Jr. wrote.

“I’m pushing it hard. I agree,” replied Meadows.

“We need an Oval Office address,” Jr. added. “He has to lead now. It’s gone too far and gotten out of hand.”

The president eventually delivered a video address at 4:17 p.m. in which he instructed his mob to “go home and go home in peace.” By then, however, the damage had been done.

Hannity recognized this and told Meadows that Trump needs to do serious damage control.

“Guys, we have a clear path to land the plane in 9 days. He can’t mention the election again. Ever. I did not have a good call with him today. And worse, I’m not sure what is left to do or say, and I don’t like not knowing if it’s truly understood,” he said. “Ideas?”

On January 7th, Hannity reached out to then-White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany with some advice.

“1- No more stolen election talk. 2- Yes, impeachment and 25th amendment are real, and many people will quit…,” Hannity said.

“Love that. Thank you. That is the playbook. I will help reinforce....” McEnany responded.

“Key now. No more crazy people,” Hannity advised.

“Yes 100%,” said McEnany.

Within a week, Fox News returned to parroting whatever nonsense Trump drummed up.

https://www.rawstory.com/text-messages-showcase-the-chaos-and-desperation-inside-trumpworld-on-january-6/

[Rick Plant]

Kentucky woman added to her husband’s indictment for allegedly pepper spraying cops at MAGA riot



More than a year after her husband was charged with attacking a line of Capitol police officers with chemical irritants, Shelly Stallings of Morganfield KY has joined him and two others in a 13-count indictment related to the January 6 insurrection.

Stallings, 42, is the wife of Peter Schwartz, a “traveling welder and convicted welder” who faces an array of felony and misdemeanor charges, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported today.

“According to federal prosecutors, Stallings and Markus Maly, 47, of Fincastle, Virginia, were named as additional defendants in a superseding indictment that previously included Stallings' husband, Peter Schwartz, and a Santa Ana, California man, Jeffrey Brown,” the newspaper reported.

Maly’s arrest last month was reported at RawStory.com.

“All four defendants are accused of spraying a chemical irritant, pepper spray, at a line of police officers attempting to secure the area of the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol Building,” according to a Department of Justice news release. “Maly, Schwartz, and Brown previously pleaded not guilty to charges.”

In the original FBI complaint against Schwartz, he is quoted as posting this on Facebook: “All the violence from the left was terrorism. What happened yesterday was the opening of a war. I was there and whether people will acknowledge it or not we are now at war. It would be wise to be ready!”

The Courier-Journal reported that Schwartz “was supposed to be at a rehabilitation facility on Owensboro on Jan. 6.” As to Schwartz’ wife Stallings, it reported that, “it was not immediately clear whether Stallings had an attorney who could comment on her behalf.”

Stallings “is charged with federal offenses that include assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, civil disorder, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon,” according to the DOJ news release.

https://www.rawstory.com/capitol-rioter-shelly-stallings/

[Rick Plant]

GOP lawmaker's 'grim and chilling' text message could be key to Jan. 6 probe: WaPo reporter



Several days before the Capitol insurrection, an unidentified GOP lawmaker sent a text message to former president Donald Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows.

"If POTUS allows this to occur… we’re driving a stake in the heart of the federal republic," wrote the lawmaker, who is a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Appearing on MSNBC on Wednesday night, Washington Post reporter Carole Loennig highlighted the unidentified lawmaker's "foreboding" message, which was included in the newspaper's report from earlier in the day titled, "Texting through an Insurrection," after being released by the House Select Committee investigating Jan. 6.

"This member is described by the investigative committee as someone who is very familiar with Donald Trump's planning for Jan. 6," Loennig said, noting that the text message was sent on or about Jan. 1.

"What exactly did that Freedom Caucus member mean by 'this'? If it is as simple as pressuring (Vice President Mike) Pence to reject the election results and the electors, it's a pretty prescient and interesting text. Committee members have either interviewed or learned information around this lawmaker and what he was saying to his staff, what he was saying to the White House, what he was saying to Meadows. But what else could this be? How grim and chilling a piece of information is this, if this lawmaker knew something Donald Trump was plotting beyond what we all know now?"

Watch below: