Washington, D.C. -  Following the first hearing of the House Select Committee to investigate the January 6 insurrection, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous and Right Wing Watch Director Adele Stan released the following statements:

“The events surrounding this first hearing of the House Select Committee showed us how mind-boggling and surreal Republican denialism of the January 6 insurrection has become. As Capitol police officers were testifying about putting their lives on the line and facing violence and abuse from the Trump mob, Republican Trump adherents were coming up with even more outlandish denials about the truth of that day. This committee must use all its power, including the full extent of its subpoena power, to root out the truth about who was responsible for the deadly events of January 6. The efforts by the Far Right to distort the history of that day cannot be allowed to take hold,” said Jealous.

“The testimony we heard at the House Select Committee hearing was chilling confirmation of everything we know about the Far Right’s evolution into a uniquely dangerous force made up of people living in an alternate reality—because they’ve been served false narratives advanced by political operatives and elected officials. What we saw on January 6 was the use of the feral and irrational mentality of a mob, weaponized by those with a plan to overturn the results of our free and fair presidential election. As Officer Daniel Hodges said in his testimony before the Select Committee, the breach of the Capitol was ‘a white nationalist insurrection.’ Americans want answers from Congress as to why the planning for this siege, which took place in plain sight, was not taken seriously by the appropriate authorities,” said Stan.

 About People For the American Way    

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.