Jan 6 hearings – live: Steve Bannon’s contempt trial to begin as panel to receive deleted Secret Service texts

Andrew Naughtie,Shweta Sharma and Oliver O'Connell
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The January 6 committee has announced the date of its next hearing, confirming it will be in prime time on Thursday 21 July. The hearing is expected to lay out the details of the 187 minutes between when then-President Donald Trump left the stage at the Ellipse in front of the White House south lawn on January 6 and his initial public response to the attack on Congress.

Meanwhile, the US Secret Service has denied a report that it deliberately deleted texts sent on 5 and 6 January 2021, calling the claim ”malicious” and “false”.

The story began with a letter from the Department of Homeland Security claiming that the messages were deleted after an agency internal watchdog requested them. However, a spokesman said the Secret Service “began to reset its mobile phones to factory settings as part of a pre-planned, three-month system migration,” and that “in that process, data resident on some phones was lost”.

The back-and-forth comes shortly after the 6 January committee broadcast witness testimony that Donald Trump had to be restrained by members of his detail on 6 January when he realised he was not being taken to the Capitol along with his supporters.

Committee member Rep Jamie Raskin says: “We are determined to recover and retrieve all of the texts that have been lost.”

Key Points

Panel to receive deleted Secret Service messages by tomorrow

05:02 , Shweta Sharma

Two members of the House select committee have said that they expected the panel to get deleted US Secret Service text messages by tomorrow, after a subpoena was issued last week for the records.

“We expect to get them by this Tuesday,” representative Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat, told ABC. “We need all the texts from the 5th and the 6th of January.”

Illinois representative Adam Kinzinger also anticipated the messages from 5-6 January 2021 by tomorrow.

“I was shocked to hear that they didn’t back up their data before they re-set their iPhones,” the congresswoman added. “That’s crazy. I don’t know why that would be.”

She said the exact relevance of the text is unknown. “We need all the texts,” Ms Lofgren said, in order “to get the full picture.”

Kinzinger hits out at Secret Service over ‘very conflicting’ statements on deleted texts

Sunday 17 July 2022 17:15 , John Bowden

Congressman Adam Kinzinger criticised the Secret Service on Sunday, declaring that the agency had contradicted itself while trying to explain what happened to text messages sent by agents on 5 and 6 January, 2021.

The lawmaker outlined the problems with the agency’s statements in an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation.

Read more from The Independent’s John Bowden:

Kinzinger says Secret Service made ‘very conflicting’ statements on deleted texts

Group of prominent conservatives refute Trump election fraud claims in report

Saturday 16 July 2022 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A group of eight prominent conservatives has reviewed all 64 of the court cases by former President Donald Trump and his allies in their effort to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election and found all of them to be without merit.

The group, which was comprised of former Republican senators Gordon Smith and John Danforth, several former federal judges, and other high-ranking Republican officials, released a 72-page report stating that the 2020 election was “administered by trained professionals who reaffirmed their established track record for fairness” and urged their fellow conservatives to move on.

Group of conservatives release report refuting Trump claims of election fraud

ICYMI: Bannon says in leaked audio Trump planned to declare victory on election night even if losing

Saturday 16 July 2022 14:15 , Oliver O'Connell

In shocking new audio obtained by a liberal news outlet former White House chief strategist Steven Bannon is heard outlining a plan for Donald Trump to declare victory on election night before voting was concluded and the results were in.

Mother Jones published audio of Mr Bannon discussing the plan in a conversation that took place prior to election night; according to the former administration official Mr Trump would have declared victory from the Oval Office even before results were conclusive in the various states that determined the winner.

“What Trump’s gonna do is just declare victory. Right? He’s gonna declare victory. But that doesn’t mean he’s a winner,” says Mr Bannon in the audio. “He’s just gonna say he’s the winner.”

John Bowden reports.

Steve Bannon says Trump planned to declare victory on election night even if losing

ICYMI: More details emerge about Trump witness tampering allegations

Saturday 16 July 2022 13:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A day after Liz Cheney dropped the bombshell revelation that Donald Trump had tried to contact one of the Jan 6 committee’s witnesses, more details have emerged about the person in question.

The witness who the former president allegedly contacted was a member of the White House staff. The name of the person, who has been cooperating with the committee investigating the capitol riot, has not been made public yet.

Read more:

More details emerge about Jan 6 witness at centre of Trump tampering allegations

Fulton County prosecutor sends ‘target’ letter to Republican Trump allies

Saturday 16 July 2022 12:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia has sent so-called “target” letters to prominent Georgia Republicans and allies of former president Donald Trump for her investigation into attempts to send a false slate of electors, Yahoo! News reported.

Fani Willis, the Democratic district attorney, has sent letters to state Senator Burt Jones, who is running for lieutenant governor, Georgia Republican Party Chairman David Shafer and state Senator Brandon Beach.

Eric Garcia reports.

Georgia prosecutor sends ‘target’ letter to Republican Trump allies

Report: Trump allies fear Mark Meadows will be targeted by prosecutors

Saturday 16 July 2022 11:30 , Oliver O'Connell

People close to former president Donald Trump are concerned that his final White House chief of staff, ex-North Carolina congressman Mark Meadows, could face indictment for his role in helping the defeated ex-president try to remain in office against the will of voters.

According to Rolling Stone, the House January 6 select committee has been “quietly” looking into Mr Meadows’ financial dealings in addition to investigating his involvement in the Trumpworld scheming that led to the worst attack on the Capitol since 1814.

“Everyone is strategising around the likelihood that Mark is in a lot of trouble,” said one attorney close to Mr Trump who spoke to the magazine.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump insiders fear ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows will be prosecuted, report says

Voices: Trump and Musk have fallen out of love — and I know why

Saturday 16 July 2022 10:30 , Oliver O'Connell

These two wealthy narcissists share a brand identity, so it was only a matter of time before this happened, says Noah Berlatsky.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk have fallen out of love — and I know exactly why

Amid denials, reports says Secret Service deleted texts from Jan 5 and 6

Saturday 16 July 2022 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The US Secret Service deleted text messages from January 5 and 6 of 2021 shortly after an agency internal watchdog requested them, according to a letter from the Department of Homeland Security.

The letter, from the DHS inspector general, was first reported by The Intercept and was shared with the January 6 committee as well as the House and Senate homeland security committees.

Secret Service deleted texts from Jan 5 and 6 2021 after watchdog request: report

Deposition of Trump, Don Jr, Ivanka postponed due to Ivana Trump’s death

Saturday 16 July 2022 08:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former President Donald Trump and two of his children got their questioning postponed Friday in a New York civil investigation into their business dealings, a delay that follows the death of Trump’s ex-wife Ivana.

The ex-president, son Don Jr. and daughter Ivanka had been scheduled for depositions — a term for out-of-court questioning under oath — starting as soon as Friday. But New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office said it had agreed to postpone them because of Ivana Trump’s death Thursday.

There are no new dates.

Deposition of Trump, 2 children delayed after Ivana's death

Jan 6 panel had to drop evidence linking Trump figures to Proud Boys and Oath Keepers

Saturday 16 July 2022 06:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House committee investigating the Capitol riot chose to cut evidence connecting former President Donald Trump’s allies to a handful of far-right extremist groups in favor of including testimony from the former White House counsel Pat Cipollone.

Committee chair Bennie Thompson of Mississippi confirmed to The Hill earlier in the week that the committee was prepared to present evidence tying the likes of Rudy Giuliani to groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, but decided not to after securing Mr Cipollone’s deposition.

Abe Asher reports.

Jan 6 panel dropped evidence linking Trump figures to Proud Boys, Oath Keepers

Jan 6 panel considering seeking testimony from Trump and Pence

Saturday 16 July 2022 04:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House select committee investigating the Capitol riot is reportedly considering seeking interviews with former Vice President Mike Pence and former President Donald Trump.

A Republican member of the panel revealed to the Wall Street Journal that the committee was considering if, and how, it could secure interviews from the former head of the executive branch.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Jan 6 panel weighs seeking testimony from Donald Trump and Mike Pence

Hillary Clinton uses Trump’s own tweets against him in lawsuit

Saturday 16 July 2022 03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Former 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and the 20 other defendants named in a bizarre lawsuit filed by former president Donald Trump have asked a judge to dismiss the case because they argue too much time has passed for Mr Trump to sue them.

Mr Trump’s lawsuit, filed in March against Ms Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, her former campaign manager, the ex-MI6 agent who compiled a dossier of allegations regarding his relationship with the Russian government, and a multitude of other figures connected to the FBI investigation led by ex-special counsel Robert Mueller. He alleged they had all played a part in an “unthinkable plot” by “maliciously” conspiring to “weave a false narrative that [Mr Trump] was colluding with a hostile foreign sovereignty”.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Hillary Clinton uses Trump’s own tweets against him in lawsuit

When is the next Jan 6 committee hearing?

Saturday 16 July 2022 02:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The next January 6 hearing has been scheduled for Thursday 21 July in primetime at 8pm, the committee investigating the Capitol riot has announced.

The hearing is expected to lay out the details of the 187 minutes between when then-President Donald Trump left the stage at the Ellipse in front of the White House south lawn on January 6 and his initial public response to the attack on Congress.

When is the next Jan 6 committee hearing?

Beto O’Rourke outraising Greg Abbottin Texas

Saturday 16 July 2022 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke outraised incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott for the first half of 2022, The Texas Tribune reported.

Beto O’Rourke outraises Greg Abbott in first half of 2022 in Texas governors’ race

Trump book author believes 2024 announcement will be ‘anti-climax'

Saturday 16 July 2022 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Journalist Mark Leibovich who has written extensively about the Trump administration and recently published a book on the topic titled Thank you for your servitude, tells MSNBC’s KAtie Turr he believes a Trump 2024 announcement will be something of an “anti-climax”.

Watch below:

Milwaukee gets nod to host 2024 GOP convention

Friday 15 July 2022 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Milwaukee moved another step closer to hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention on Friday when a site selection committee unanimously recommended the event be held there rather than Nashville, Tennessee.

The Republican National Committee would still need to approve the location at its meeting Aug. 2-5 in Chicago. Nashville could still be the winner, but that city’s chances hit a roadblock earlier this month when opposition led proponents to withdraw a proposed agreement about how to host the event.

Milwaukee gets recommendation to host 2024 GOP convention

Another day-long Jan 6 deposition

Friday 15 July 2022 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Julie Jester of NBC News notes that more than eight hours after going in to see the January 6 committee, former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne — who was present at the infamous 18 December 2021 meeting at the White House —is still talking to investigators.

Georgia DA mulls seeking Trump's testimony

Friday 15 July 2022 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Georgia prosecutor investigating potential criminal interference in the 2020 presidential election is considering requesting that former President Donald Trump testify under oath to a grand jury, while several people already subpoenaed as part of the probe have received letters informing them that they’re at risk of being indicted.

The developments underscore the accelerating nature of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation and the key decisions that may lie ahead for prosecutors who for months have been scrutinizing efforts by Trump and his allies to undo his election loss in Georgia.

Georgia DA mulls seeking Trump's testimony as probe heats up

Former deputy director of FBI weighs in on Secret Service text allegation

Friday 15 July 2022 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Deputy Director of the FBI Andrew McCabe has commented on the alleged deleting of text messages by the Secret Service over 5-6 January 2021.

He told Ana Cabrera on CNN: “They are a federal law enforcement agency … they’re obligated to preserve records like emails and text messages as well that their agents and personnel are exchanging. It raises questions...”

Fulton County DA sends ‘target’ letter to Republican Trump allies

Friday 15 July 2022 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

The district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia has sent so-called “target” letters to prominent Georgia Republicans and allies of former president Donald Trump for her investigation into attempts to send a false slate of electors, Yahoo! News reported.

Fani Willis, the Democratic district attorney, has sent letters to state Senator Burt Jones, who is running for lieutenant governor, Georgia Republican Party Chairman David Shafer and state Senator Brandon Beach.

Eric Garcia has more details.

Georgia prosecutor sends ‘target’ letter to Republican Trump allies

Bannon says in leaked audio Trump planned to declare victory on election night even if losing

Friday 15 July 2022 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

In shocking new audio obtained by a liberal news outlet former White House chief strategist Steven Bannon is heard outlining a plan for Donald Trump to declare victory on election night before voting was concluded and the results were in.

Mother Jones published audio of Mr Bannon discussing the plan in a conversation that took place prior to election night; according to the former administration official Mr Trump would have declared victory from the Oval Office even before results were conclusive in the various states that determined the winner.

John Bowden reports.

Steve Bannon says Trump planned to declare victory on election night even if losing

Hillary Clinton uses Trump’s own tweets against him

Friday 15 July 2022 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and the 20 other defendants named in a bizarre lawsuit filed by former president Donald Trump have asked a judge to dismiss the case because they argue too much time has passed for Mr Trump to sue them.

Mr Trump’s lawsuit, filed in March against Ms Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, her former campaign manager, the ex-MI6 agent who compiled a dossier of allegations regarding his relationship with the Russian government, and a multitude of other figures connected to the FBI investigation led by ex-special counsel Robert Mueller.

He alleged they had all played a part in an “unthinkable plot” by “maliciously” conspiring to “weave a false narrative that [Mr Trump] was colluding with a hostile foreign sovereignty”.

Andrew Feinberg has the latest on the case is going for the former president.

Hillary Clinton uses Trump’s own tweets against him in lawsuit

Raskin determined to retrieve ‘lost’ text messages

Friday 15 July 2022 20:28 , Oliver O'Connell

Jan 6 committee schedules next prime time hearing

Friday 15 July 2022 20:22 , Oliver O'Connell

The next January 6 hearing has been scheduled for Thursday 21 July in primetime at 8pm, the committee investigating the Capitol riot has announced.

More details follow...

Jan 6 committee schedules next prime time hearing for 21 July

Jan 6 chairman says panel dropped evidence linking Trump figures to Proud Boys and Oath Keepers

Friday 15 July 2022 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The House committee investigating the Capitol riot chose to cut evidence connecting former President Donald Trump’s allies to a handful of far-right extremist groups in favor of including testimony from the former White House counsel Pat Cipollone.

Committee chair Bennie Thompson of Mississippi confirmed to The Hill earlier in the week that the committee was prepared to present evidence tying the likes of Rudy Giuliani to groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, but decided not to after securing Mr Cipollone’s deposition.

Abe Asher reports.

Jan 6 panel dropped evidence linking Trump figures to Proud Boys, Oath Keepers

Trump postpones Arizona rally out of ‘respect for Ivana'

Friday 15 July 2022 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has postponed his upcoming rally in Arizona until next Friday 22 July, following the death of his ex-wife Ivana, mother to his three eldest children.

The announcement came via an official statement and was accompanied by a short post from the former president on Truth Social: “Out of love and respect for Ivana, our big Arizona Rally will be postponed until next Friday.”

Jan 6 committee considers seeking Trump and Pence testimony

Friday 15 July 2022 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The House select committee investigating the Capitol riot is reportedly considering seeking interviews with former Vice President Mike Pence and former President Donald Trump.

A Republican member of the panel revealed to the Wall Street Journal that the committee was considering if, and how, it could secure interviews from the former heads of state.

Representative Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on the January 6 panel, said during an interview that the panel may request a written interview with Mr Pence, and is considering whether it would use a subpoena to compel his testimony.

Graog Graziosi reports.

Jan 6 panel weighs seeking testimony from Donald Trump and Mike Pence

Navarro rejects plea deal in contempt case

Friday 15 July 2022 19:12 , Oliver O'Connell

Trump administration trade adviser, Peter Navarro, has rejected a plea offer extended to him by the government in his ongoing contempt of Congress criminal case.

Mr Navarro was indicted in early June on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with the Janaury 6 committee’s demand that he hand over pertinent documents and sit for a deposition.

Former Trump administration trade adviser Peter Navarro outside the US Federal District Court in Washington, DC, on 15 July 2022 (EPA)
Former Trump administration trade adviser Peter Navarro outside the US Federal District Court in Washington, DC, on 15 July 2022 (EPA)

CBS News reports the plea deal that Mr Navarro rejected stipulated that he admit to one of the two charges brought against him and comply with the House subpoena in a manner satisfactory to the Justice Department.

In exchange, the government would limit its sentencing request to a maximum of 30 days in prison.

Each of the misdemeanor counts carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison if convicted.

The trial is set for November.

GOP governors eyeing 2024 runs cautious to push new abortion restrictions

Friday 15 July 2022 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The caution reflects the evolving landscape of abortion politics, as Republicans navigate an issue that threatens to divide the party while giving Democrats a potential election-year boost.

GOP governors mulling 2024 run aren't rushing abortion laws

Conservatives release letter debunking various Trump 2020 fraud theories

Friday 15 July 2022 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A small group of conservatives have released a report debunking a number of conspiracy theories supported by Donald Trump and his team after the 2020 election in the hopes of convincing the ex-president’s diehard supporters to abandon his false claims of a stolen election.

On Thursday, the group, led by two former US senators, a handful of conservative-leaning judges, and a former chief of staff to ex-House Speaker Paul Ryan, released a more than 70-page report that detailed several conspiracy theories leveled by the Trump campaign in the days and weeks after the 2020 election before addressing why they were false.

John Bowden reports:

Group of conservatives release letter debunking various Trump 2020 fraud theories