Former Trump White House aides testified to the Jan. 6 select committee that six House Republicans sought presidential pardons in the aftermath of the Capitol riot.
Why it matters: The testimony was played at the end of a hearing that included new details about lawmakers’ involvement in former President Trump’s efforts to pressure the Justice Department to probe his voter fraud claims.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) in particular was a champion of installing DOJ official Jeffrey Rosen, a vocal believer of Trump’s claims, as acting attorney general.
Driving the news: According to the aides who testified, the following members sought pardons:
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.)Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.)Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas)Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.)Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)
What they’re saying: “The general tone was, ‘We may get prosecuted because we were defensive of the president’s positions on these things,'” former White House lawyer Eric Herschmann said in closed-door testimony.
“The only reason I know to ask for a pardon is because you think you committed a crime,” said Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), who led the hearing.