The president believes the attack on the Capitol on January 6 was an unprecedented assault on our democracy. He’s repeatedly conveyed that to the American public and spoken and said that in public addresses.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about President Joe Biden's perspective on the Jan. 6 Commission, the formation of which has passed the House of Representatives.
"What's the president's view on the January 6 Commission stand-off? Does he share the thinking of some who say, comparing the day to 9/11, and it should be treated as such with that kind of seriousness? And if he does, would he take some steps himself, like address the nation, or really get involved himself if the Republicans don't go along with it and there is no bipartisan commission?"
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"Well, we're not quite there yet," Psaki said. Biden had previously said that the Capitol riot was the "worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War."
"There are ongoing discussions and negotiations. The president believes the attack on the Capitol on January 6 was an unprecedented assault on our democracy. He's repeatedly conveyed that to the American public and spoken and said that in public addresses.
"He doesn't feel this is a political issue. This is really a question of how we secure our democracy and the rule of law. We saw 35 Republicans join Democrats and support the commission moving forward, we're talking about action in the Senate and we will certainly encourage Republican members to do the right thing.
"But ultimately, it's up to them," Psaki said.
"Will he get involved if they drop the ball?" The reporter asked.
"We're not there yet," Psaki said, "and we're here every day, so we'll have a discussion if that's the point we're at."
Psaki had previously claimed that "a number of officers" died during the Capitol riot earlier this year. However, one woman was shot by police, and four others died from medical emergencies. One officer, Brian D. Sicknick, died many hours after the riot, and after telling family that he was fine.
The bipartisan commission was been formed to investigate the one day, one afternoon, Capitol riot of Jan. 6, in which Trump supporters broke off from a rally at the ellipse and broke into the Capitol, disrupting Congress until they quelled by law enforcement.
The rioters were unarmed, no weapons charges have been filed, and only two individuals out of over 400 who were arrested were charged with a serious crime, that of assault. Yet for Congress, the incident is still incredibly dire.
The 9/11 style commission, which was called for by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to delve into the "facts and circumstances" of the Jan. 6 riot will be led by the House Homeland Security Committee. House GOP wanted to include an investigation into the summer violence perpetrated by far-leftist groups as well. Other Democrats insisted on the commission as well.
In the formation of the commission, it was announced that "The commission will be charged with studying the facts and circumstances of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol as well as the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy."
"Commissioners must have significant expertise in the areas of law enforcement, civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, intelligence and cybersecurity. Current government officers or employees are prohibited from appointment."
The Committee announced that the commission will be bipartisan, with 10 lawmakers assigned to it. The chair of the committee and half the participants will be selected by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in coordination with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will select the other five members.
This commission will be able to issue subpoenas, and their report will be due Dec. 31, 2021.
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