Jan. 6 committee subpoenas 5 House Republicans, including Kevin McCarthy


The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot subpoenaed five House Republicans, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), on Thursday, marking a "significant escalation" in the panel's investigative efforts, The Washington Post reports.
Committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said the group had subpoenaed Reps. Mo Brooks of Alaska, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, and Jim Jordan of Ohio, in addition to McCarthy. All five had declined to speak with the committee voluntarily, the Post notes.
"Before we hold our hearings next month, we wished to provide members the opportunity to discuss these matters with the committee voluntarily," Thompson wrote in a statement. "Regrettably, the individuals receiving subpoenas today have refused and we're forced to take this step to help ensure the committee uncovers facts concerning Jan. 6."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The panel had previously refrained from subpoenaing GOP lawmakers for "a variety" of reasons, including fear of retribution come fall should Republicans regain a majority, per the Post. But on Thursday, Thompson said the lawmakers had left the committee with "no choice."
Depositions have been scheduled for the end of May, CNN writes. The committee is otherwise preparing to present its findings in a series of public hearings that will take place in June, "some during prime time in an effort to attract a large television audience," The New York Times reports.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Pope Leo wants to change the Vatican’s murky finances
The Explainer Leo has been working to change some decisions made by his predecessor
-
October books: an academic analysis of Taylor Swift and the solution to your digital addiction
The Week Recommends This month's new releases include ‘Taylor’s Version’ by Stephanie Burt, ‘Enshittification’ by Cory Doctorow and ‘Minor Black Figures’ by Brandon Taylor
-
Auto loans: Trouble in the subprime economy
Feature The downfall of Tricolor Holdings may reflect the growing financial strain low-income Americans are facing
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal