J6 committee chair seethes over ‘threat of vengeful prosecution,’ vows to withstand Trump and his ‘minions’

Mississippi Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, who chaired the Jan. 6 House Select Committee, has responded to President-elect Donald Trump’s recent threats of jail time for members of the former congressional committee, asserting that he is not intimidated by Trump’s baseless accusations.

In a statement to Fox News Digital on Monday, Thompson condemned Trump’s attempts to undermine the rule of law, degrade democracy, and erode the Constitution. He emphasized that the committee members are not afraid of Trump’s threats and will continue to stand up to him.

Thompson refuted Trump’s claims that the committee deleted and destroyed evidence related to the investigation, stating that the committee diligently followed House rules throughout the investigation process. He highlighted that the committee’s work product stands on its own and has not been refuted by any court or legal body.

Trump, in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, accused Thompson, former Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, and others on the J6 committee of deleting and destroying evidence, suggesting that they should go to jail. Cheney, a vocal critic of Trump, responded to his remarks by condemning them as a continuation of his assault on the rule of law.

The Jan. 6 committee was established in July 2021 to investigate the breach of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021. The committee concluded its 18-month investigation last year and sent referrals to the Justice Department recommending criminal prosecution for Trump’s involvement in the insurrection.

Despite Trump’s allegations of evidence deletion, Thompson and Cheney have denied mishandling evidence. Thompson’s letter to Republican Georgia Rep. Barry Loudermilk in 2023 detailed the committee’s efforts to protect sensitive material and safeguard witness safety, national security, and law enforcement operations.

Cheney reiterated in her response to Trump that there is no factual or constitutional basis for his suggestions of a Justice Department investigation into the committee’s work. She emphasized that any lawyer pursuing such a course would be engaging in sanctionable conduct.

Overall, Thompson and Cheney remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the truth and holding those responsible for the January 6 insurrection to account. They are unwavering in their dedication to defending democracy and the rule of law, regardless of Trump’s attempts to undermine their work.