House Jan. 6 committee is seeking Sean Hannity's cooperation


The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot would like to speak with Fox News host Sean Hannity, telling him in a letter sent Tuesday that they have "no doubt that you love our country and respect our Constitution. Now is the time to step forward and serve the interests of your country."
The letter, signed by the committee's chair, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), and vice chair, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), is asking for Hannity's voluntary cooperation, and notes that they will not be asking him for any information on his political views or Fox News show. Rather, the panel has received evidence that he had "relevant communications while the riot was underway and in the days thereafter. These communications make you a fact witness in our investigation."
Material that has been turned over to the committee also shows that Hannity "had advance knowledge regarding President Trump's and his legal team's planning for Jan. 6th," Thompson and Cheney wrote. The committee has received dozens of text messages sent between Hannity and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in the days before and after the Capitol attack, and Thompson and Cheney said one text from Hannity on Dec. 31 suggests "that you had knowledge of concerns by President Trump's White House Counsel's Office regarding the legality of the former president's plans for Jan. 6th. These facts are directly relevant to our inquiry."
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.
In addition to speaking with the committee, Hannity has also been asked to preserve all records of his communications relevant to the panel's investigation, The Washington Post reports.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Peter Mandelson called Epstein his 'best pal' in birthday note
Speed Read The UK's ambassador to Washington described the late convicted paedophile as an 'intelligent, sharp-witted man'
-
'Vampire energy' could be causing your electric bill to rise
Under the Radar Wasted energy could account for up to 10% of home use
-
A Spinal Tap reunion, Thomas Pynchon by way of Paul Thomas Anderson and a harrowing Stephen King adaptation in September movies
the week recommends This month's new releases include 'Spinal Tap II,' 'One Battle After Another' and 'The Long Walk'
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
Trump threatens critics with federal charges
Feature Days after FBI agents raided John Bolton's home, Trump threatened legal action against Chris Christie
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
'The McDonald's menu board is one fascinating thing'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines