Members of Congress from Massachusetts are reacting to the first prime time hearing by the special House Committee investigating the attack on Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.
Even before Thursday’s hearing got underway, Capitol Hill was stirring in anticipation of the panel’s initial findings.
Representative Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat, did not agree with the characterization by some Republicans who’ve called the hearings a “partisan exercise.”
“I expect the facts. This is not political. This is constitutional. Americans, both today and for posterity, deserve a transparent and comprehensive accounting,” Auchincloss told Spectrum News.
Assistant House Speaker and Democratic congressional representative Katherine Clark issued this statement before the panel convened, “January 6, 2021 was one of the darkest days in American history. It is absolutely critical that we investigate what happened that day in order to protect our Capitol–and our democracy–from another such insidious attack. I have full confidence in the January 6th Committee and Chairman Bennie Thompson and thank them for their work in uncovering the truth and protecting our nation.”
Congressional representative Jim McGovern, the last member to leave the House chamber before it was breached on January 6, shared his thoughts on the hearing via Twitter.
One of his posts highlighted the testimony of Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, who suffered a head injury and was knocked unconscious while defending the Capitol as rioters got closer to the Capitol.
Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted, “We need to call out the traitors who embraced the Big Lie & incited a violent insurrection against our country. We can’t let them cover up the details of their plot. The House hearings beginning tonight are powerfully important so we can get the facts & ensure accountability.”
While Senator Ed Markey added, “On January 6, 2021, white nationalists attacked our democracy at the direction of Donald Trump. We need to see everyone involved in this violent assault brought to justice and held accountable or we will doubtlessly see it happen again.”
Representative Ayanna Pressley issued this statement exclusively to Spectrum News, “I’m grateful to Chairman Thompson and the Jan. 6 Committee for working to shine light on the violent, organized, white supremacist attack waged on the U.S Capitol and just how close we were as a nation to losing our democracy.”
Pressley, who also represents Massachusetts 7th congressional district added, “To be clear, this insurrection was a violent attempt incited by Donald J. Trump to silence the will of the people—especially the record numbers of Black and brown voters who turned out to remove him from office—and last night’s harrowing hearing made that plain. We must remain uncomfortable with what happened on January 6, 2021, and everyone who played a role in this attack must face accountability. We must ensure an attack like this never happens again. My heart is with the Capitol community who are having to re-live the trauma and horror of that day, from custodial and food service workers, Congressional staffers, journalists, Capitol police officers and members of Congress alike.”
Republicans in Congress, supportive of former President Donald Trump, are offering a different take on the hearing. They’re dismissing the evidence or calling the committee biased.
Auchincloss also said he hopes that those who tuned in on Thursday night will continue to do so for future hearings.
“This not as Democrats or Republicans thing, not as people who voted for Donald Trump or Joe Biden thing but as people who care about democracy and I want them to hear these facts put together,” Auchincloss said.
The hearing included several minutes of graphic video of the riot and emotional testimony. Some lawmakers who attended in person were brought to tears by the presentation.