Staff Reports
The House GOP opposes what they perceive as excessive actions by the January 6th Committee. Representatives Eric Burlison (R-MO), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Thomas Massie (R-KY) have proposed a resolution to nullify the subpoenas issued by the disbanded committee to crucial aides of former President Trump. The subpoenas targeted figures like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro, who have both faced legal troubles for defying these demands.
The resolution seeks to nullify the subpoenas and wipe away the contempt of Congress charges against Bannon and Navarro. Bannon, set to start a four-month prison sentence by July 1, and Navarro, currently in a Miami prison, may see some relief if this measure succeeds. Other Trump aides who stand to benefit include Dan Scavino and Mark Meadows, indicating that the GOP is making an apparent move to protect its own.
Good question.
This does not need Senate approval.
The original subpoenas were issued unilaterally from the House, so the House can rescind them unilaterally.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 18, 2024
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has often been the face of controversial GOP moves, was caught in the spotlight alongside Massie in a separate Capitol Hill drama. Her effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) flopped spectacularly, showing that even her party has limits on how much chaos they are willing to endure.
Burlison took to social media to drum up support and gather co-sponsors for the resolution. High-profile names like Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Chip Roy (R-TX) are on board, signaling a strong conservative pushback against what they deemed was an illegitimate committee.
Critics, naturally, are furious. Philip Wallach of the American Enterprise Institute accused the GOP of employing Orwellian tactics. He claimed that the 118th Congress has no right to undo the actions of the 117th Congress, suggesting a dire precedent where even past impeachments could be erased from history.
There’s also the legal sticking point: even if the resolution passes, Bannon and Navarro were convicted by federal juries. Undoing these convictions could lead to a constitutional struggle over the separation of powers. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols’ recent decision suggests Bannon’s appeals are running out of steam, adding more tension to the situation.
All eyes will be on how this political chess game unfolds, especially with the Republican National Convention just around the corner. The GOP appears keen to clean up what they view as a mess left by the previous Congress, but it’s clear that this fight is far from over.
