The January 6th commission dropped what they thought was a bombshell — but it turned out to be a dud.
Congresswoman Liz Cheney – the Republican from Wyoming read text messages sent to Mark Meadows – former President Trump’s chief of staff.
The messages were sent as rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
“These text messages leave no doubt the White House knew exactly what was happening here at the Capitol,” Cheney told members of the committee. “Members of Congress, the press and others wrote to Mark Meadows as the attack was underway. One text Mr. Meadows received said ‘we are under siege here at the Capitol.’ Another, ‘they have breached the Capitol. In a third, ‘Mark, protestors are literally storming the Capitol. Breaking windows and doors and rushing in. Is Trump going to say something?’”
Fox News Channel hosts Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity begged Meadows for a presidential intervention. Donald Trump, Jr. called for an Oval Office Address – noting that the riot had gotten out of hand.
These texts leave no doubt: the White House knew exactly what was happening at the Capitol. Republican members of Congress and others wrote to Mark Meadows as the attack was underway:
-“Hey, Mark, protestors are literally storming the Capitol. Breaking windows on doors. Rushing in. Is Trump going to say something?”
-“We are under siege up here at the Capitol.”
-“They have breached the Capitol.”
-“There’s an armed standoff at the House Chamber door.”
-“We are all helpless.”
Dozens of texts, including from Trump administration officials, urged immediate action by the President:
-“POTUS has to come out firmly and tell protestors to dissipate. Someone is going to get killed”
-“Mark, he needs to stop this. Now”
-“TELL THEM TO GO HOME”
-“POTUS needs to calm this s*** down.”
Indeed, according to the records, multiple Fox News hosts knew the President needed to act immediately. They texted Meadows that:
-“Hey Mark, the president needs to tell people in the Capitol to go home…this is hurting all of us…he is destroying his legacy.” Laura Ingraham wrote.
-“Please get him on tv. Destroying everything you have accomplished.” Brian Kilmeade wrote.
-“Can he make a statement?…Ask people to leave the Capitol.” Sean Hannity urged.
As the violence continued, one of the President’s sons texted Meadows:
“He’s got to condemn this s*** Asap. The Capitol Police tweet is not enough.” Donald Trump, Jr. texted.
Meadows responded: “I’m pushing it hard. I agree.”
Still, President Trump did not immediately act.
Donald Trump, Jr. texted again and again, urging action by the President:
“We need an Oval address. He has to lead now. It has gone too far and gotten out of hand.”
But hours passed without the necessary action by the President.
Rep. Liz Cheney
At face value – this is clear evidence that whatever happened on January 6th was not an insurrection.
It also illustrates that President Trump was not the mastermind of some sort of a grand scheme to stage a de facto coup.
There are still lots of questions left to be answered – like how many FBI agents were involved in the planning and execution of the attack. And why did Democrat leadership tell Capitol Police to stand down?
Let’s see if Cheney releases the text messages that provide answers to those questions.
