Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), in his capacity as a member of the House committee investigating the Capitol riot, is zeroing in on Donald Trump Jr., who helped throw the outdoor rally in D.C. that immediately preceded last January’s attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters. This week, the riot investigation committee unveiled three new subpoenas, including two for Andy Surabian and Arthur Schwartz — advisers to Trump Jr. A statement from Surabian’s lawyer, Daniel Bean, stated that he and his client “plan on cooperating with the Committee within reason.” It remains to be seen how exactly that they define “within reason.” Kinzinger commented as follows this week:
‘Looking at the role that Kimberly Guilfoyle played, that Don Jr. played — it would be obvious we would need some information from them, or people that would know things about what they were doing. We all saw the selfie video of them dancing and laughing… All we want is answers. It’s not like there’s anything nefarious here, besides, let’s find out what the truth is — and we will.’
Check out footage of Kinzinger’s new comments below:
👀 @RepKinzinger (R-IL) on 1/6 investigation: “There’s no doubt, looking at the role that Kimberly Guilfoyle played, that Don Jr. played, it would be obvious we would need some information from them.” pic.twitter.com/mLlc9Dx86D
— The Recount (@therecount) January 12, 2022
Guilfoyle, an ex-Fox host, is Jr.’s fiancée. The video to which Kinzinger seemingly referred was captured by Donald Trump Jr. himself on the day of the riot, and it shows moments backstage leading up to the speech that then-President Trump gave at the D.C. rally preceding the riot. Among other elements, the video shows Guilfoyle stating that she hoped that then-Vice President Mike Pence had “the courage or the brains to do the right thing” and block the certification in Congress of Biden’s presidential election victory, although Pence did not actually have the legally recognized power to do such a thing in his role overseeing the certification proceedings. Still, the comments help reveal the behind-the-scenes planning for the events of January 6 that went on in Trump World — although, to be clear, the rally where Trump spoke did not include explicit plans for violence.
Rep. Kinzinger on Jan. 6: "Looking at the role that Kimberly Guilfoyle played, that Don Jr. played — it would be obvious we would need some information from them, or people that would know … what they were doing. We all saw the selfie video of them dancing and laughing." @MSNBC
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 12, 2022
Among the potential criminal offenses for which the riot investigation committee could decide to recommend Trump (or others) to the Justice Department for prosecution is involvement in a criminal conspiracy. That conspiracy would’ve targeted the election outcome certification proceedings that had been scheduled for January 6, and relatedly, other potential offenses that could be the subject of possible criminal referrals include obstruction of an official proceeding. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), the vice chair of the riot investigation panel, has confirmed that such referrals are a possibility.
The January 6 Select Committee has subpoenaed two close advisors to Donald Trump Jr, as they inch ever closer to the Trump family. https://t.co/HdcZFTeF1h
— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) January 12, 2022
