Select Committee Hearing Opening Statement from Congressman Bennie Thompson

Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, delivers his opening statement.

Excerpts from Congressman Thompson’s opening statement.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, opened the hearing on Thursday, June 9, 2022 by squarely placing responsibility for Jan. 6 at the feet of former President Trump. The hearing is designed to show the American public what the committee has learned so far about the riot and former President Donald Trump’s role.

“I’m from a part of the country where people justify the actions of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan, and lynching,” Thompson said. “I’m reminded of that dark history as I hear voices today try and justify the actions of the insurrectionists on Jan. 6, 2021.”