A House of Representatives commission investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol spent about eight hours Thursday questioning Stephen Miller, a senior White House adviser to former President Donald J. Trump, in an sometimes controversial exchange that included questions about Mr. Trump’s speech before a mob riot morning, according to two people familiar with the session.
Investigators have repeatedly asked Mr. Miller about the use of the word “we” during Mr. Trump’s speech at the Ellipse in front of the White House on January 6, 2021, people said, in an apparent effort to determine whether the former president was directing supporters. to join him in taking action to prevent Congress from certifying his defeat. Mr Miller argues that language is no different from any other political speech.
Mr Miller was Mr Trump’s chief domestic policy adviser and his keynote speaker. He was the last former White House official to appear before the committee a day after former White House adviser Pat A. Chipolone and his deputy, Patrick F. Philbin, appeared. Mr. Miller was summoned in November 2021, but struggled with the commission’s efforts to obtain information from him, appearing only after lengthy negotiations with commission officials.
Mr Miller did not respond to a request for comment. But the two familiar with his appearance, who wished to remain anonymous for the confidential interview, described the session at times as heated. Mr Miller cited executive privilege when asked about his talks with Mr Trump, including a phone call the White House records show he had with the former president on the morning of Jan. 6, one man said. .
Among the most controversial conversations was about the draft speech that Mr. Trump gave that morning at the so-called “Stop Theft” rally near the White House. Thousands marched from the event to the Capitol, where they stormed the building just as Congress was assembling to formalize the victory of Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s Electoral College.
Mr Trump has used the word ‘we’ many times in his speeches that day. “We will not tolerate it anymore and that is what it is about,” Mr Trump said. “And to use a favorite term that you all really came up with: we will stop stealing.
Mr Miller denied the suggestion that the word “we” indicated that Mr Trump was trying to push the crowd into action, said one man, claiming it had been used in political speech for decades, including by President John F. Kennedy in connection with the landing on the moon.
Another point of contention with Mr Miller was Mr Trump’s false allegations of widespread ballot fraud. Mr Miller, people familiar with his appearance, said the election had been stolen, claiming there were several examples of fraud.
Investigators also pressured Mr Miller for his involvement in plans to promote pro-Trump voters in states won by Mr Biden as part of an attempt to keep Mr Trump in office.
As the Electoral College convened to vote in December 2020, Mr. Miller told Fox News that U.S. lawmakers in several “disputed states” were sending an “alternative voter list” to Congress.
“This will ensure that all our remedies remain open,” Mr Miller said.
Despite appearing on Thursday, Mr Miller took a hostile stance towards the committee. Last month, he filed a lawsuit to prevent investigators from gaining access to his phone records, claiming in part that the group violated his parents’ privacy because he was in their family plan.
Consequences of Capitol Riot: Key Developments
Map 1 of 3
Discussion of criminal referral. The House of Representatives committee split on January 6 over whether to report former President Donald Trump to the Justice Department, although it said it had enough evidence to do so. The debate focuses on whether the referral will have the opposite effect, politically tarnishing the expanding federal investigation.
Accusations of disrespect. The House voted to recommend criminal disrespect for congressional allegations against Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino Jr., two close allies of Mr. Trump, after the two opposed calls from a special commission investigating the Jan. 6 attack.
The committee has a draft of Mr Trump’s speech, which investigators have shown particular interest in while examining the inflammatory language and whether he encouraged those present to march to the Capitol.
Mr. Miller helped prepare the speech, although others on his team are said to have played a broader role. Two other speechwriters on the team, Vince Haley and Ross Worthington, have already testified before the commission.
Mr Meadows, Mr Trump’s last chief of staff, said Mr Trump had released part of his comments telling the crowd to march on the Capitol. But the commission has received testimony and contemporary remarks from a former high-ranking White House official that directly contradict Mr Meadows’ statements, the commission said.
“This former high-ranking official explained that the president really wanted to walk or drive with protesters to Capitol Hill at the end of his speech on January 6,” said Benny Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat who chairs the committee. in a letter to Mr. Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump, asking her to testify.
Mr Trump also recently admitted to The Washington Post that he wanted to join the march on the Capitol, but that the Secret Service prevented him from doing so. The Times and other media reported shortly after the riot that Mr Trump wanted to march, but was told he could not.
Add Comment