The Independent View: House Will Create Independent Commission to Examine Capitol Riot

In a Letter to Democratic Colleagues, House Speaker, Pelosi (D-CA, 12th District), said the House will Create Independent Commission to Examine Capitol Riot, and also put forth Supplemental Spending to boost Security at the Capitol. Pelosi asked, Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, to Lead an Immediate Review of the Capitol’s Security Process.

In her Letter Monday, Pelosi said, “It is clear from his findings and from the impeachment trial that we must get to the truth of how this happened.” She added, “As we prepare for the Commission, it is also clear from General Honoré’s interim reporting that we must put forth a supplemental appropriation to provide for the safety of Members and the security of the Capitol.”

Investigations into the Riot were already Planned, with Senate Hearings, Scheduled later this month in the Senate Rules Committee. Lawmakers from both Parties signaled that even more Inquiries were likely.

The Senate verdict Saturday, with its 57-43 Majority falling 10 Votes Short of the Two-Thirds needed to Convict Trump, hardly put to Rest the Debate about Trump's Culpability for the Jan. 6th Assault.

“There should be a complete investigation about what happened,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), One of Seven Republicans who Voted to Convict Trump. “What was known, who knew it and when they knew, all that, because that builds the basis so this never happens again.” Cassidy said he was “attempting to hold President Trump accountable,” and added that as Americans hear all the Facts, “more folks will move to where I was.” He was Censured by his State’s Party after the Vote.

An Independent Commission along the lines of the one that Investigated the Sept. 11th Attacks would probably require Legislation to Create. That would Elevate the Investigation a Step Higher, offering a definitive Government-Backed Accounting of Events. Still, such a Panel would pose Risks of Sharpening Partisan Divisions or Overshadowing President Biden's Legislative Agenda.

“There’s still more evidence that the American people need and deserve to hear and a 9/11 commission is a way to make sure that we secure the Capitol going forward,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), a Biden Ally. “And that we lay bare the record of just how responsible and how abjectly violating of his constitutional oath President Trump really was.”

House Prosecutors who argued for Trump's Conviction of inciting the Riot, said Sunday, they had proved their Case. They also railed against the Senate’s Republican Leader, Mitch McConnell (KY), and others who they said were “trying to have it both ways” in Finding the Trump Not Guilty but Criticizing him at the same time.

A close Trump Ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Voted for Acquittal but Acknowledged that Trump had some Culpability for the Siege at the Capitol that Killed Five People, including a Police Officer, and Disrupted lawmakers’ Certification of Biden’s White House Victory. Graham said he looked forward to Campaigning with Trump in the 2022 Election, when Republicans hope to Regain the Congressional Majority. “His behavior after the election was over the top,” Graham said. “We need a 9/11 commission to find out what happened and make sure it never happens again.”

The Senate Acquitted Trump of a Charge of “incitement of insurrection” after House Prosecutors laid out a Case that he was an “inciter in chief” who Unleashed a Mob by stoking a Monthslong Campaign of spreading Debunked Conspiracy Theories and False Violent Rhetoric that the 2020 Election was Stolen from him. Trump’s Lawyers countered that Trump’s Words were Not intended to Incite the Violence and that Impeachment was nothing but a “witch hunt” designed to Prevent him from Serving in Office again.

McConnell told Republican Senators shortly before the Vote that he would Vote to Acquit Trump. In a Blistering Speech after the Vote, the Kentucky Republican said the President was “practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day" but that the Senate's Hands were Tied to do anything about it because Trump was Out of Office.

The Senate, in an Earlier Vote, had deemed the Trial Constitutional.