News

Democrats set up committee to probe Capitol attack

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced the creation of a new committee to investigate the Capitol Hill riot in January this year.

After Senate Republicans blocked a bill to establish a bipartisan commission into the attack, Pelosi said that the Democratic-led committee would aim to ‘establish the truth of that day and ensure that an attack of that kind cannot happen’.

Supporters of former US President Donald Trump have said that a commission was not necessary.

The riot, in which Trump supporters stormed Congress in Washington in a failed attempt to overturn the certification of Democratic President Joe Biden's election victory in November, left five dead, including a Capitol police officer. The assault led to the political impeachment and acquittal of Trump, who was accused by lawmakers of inciting the riot.

The structure, powers and members of the committee, which will be controlled by Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives, will be announced at a later date. Pelosi said she and her Democratic colleagues ‘see this as complementary, not instead of’ an independent commission into the events of 6 January.

Partners

View the latest
digital issue