GOP Rep. Jim Jordan Refuses To Cooperate With Democrats’ Jan. 6 Committee, Calls Request ‘Unprecedented And Inappropriate’

Jim Jordan Will Not Cooperate With Jan. 6 Committee, Calls Request 'Unprecedented And Inappropriate'

Outspoken Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan (R) on Sunday informed the House Select Committee investigating the Jan.6, 2021 riot at the Capitol that he would not be cooperating with the investigation. 

The fiery congressman’s decision not to cooperate with the committee comes as Committee Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), during an appearance on NBC’s ‘Meet The Press’ said the committee was pursuing whether or not it had the legal authority to subpoena sitting members of Congress.

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The Committee Prodding Congressmen For Information

According to a report from Axios, Jordan is not the only sitting member of Congress reluctant to turn over any documents or be interviewed by the committee. In December Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) refused to cooperate with the committee’s request for information calling the committee “illegitimate.”

The committee claimed that Jordan was initially going to comply, before claiming, “but it now appears that the Trump team has persuaded him to try to hide the facts and circumstances of January 6th.”

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Jordan Calls Out The Committee

Jim Jordan wasted no time telling committee chair Thompson what he thought of not only the request, but the very existence of the committee.

In a letter to Thompson, Jordan called the request from the committee “unprecedented and inappropriate,” and stated that he was acting in his capacity as a sitting member of Congress carrying out “official duties” when he communicated with the White House that day.

Jordan also stated that, “As you well know, I have no relevant information that would assist the Select Committee in advancing any legitimate legislative purpose.” 

But Jordan wasn’t done there. He continued saying, “This request is far outside the bounds of any legitimate inquiry, violates core Constitutional principles, and would serve to further erode legislative norms.” He added, “Your attempt to pry into the deliberative process informing a Member of about legislative matters before the House is an outrageous abuse.”

And while the committee boasts of being “bipartisan,” with Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) as the two Republicans on the committee, Jordan stated what many other Republicans believe as well, saying he has, “no confidence that the Select Committee will fairly or accurately represent any information.” 

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Resistance To The Jan. 6 Committee

Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who was indicted in November for defying a subpoena from the committee, has repeatedly stated he will in no way comply. 

Last month, former Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was recommended for prosecution for criminal contempt of congress for also defying a subpoena, citing executive privilege. Meadows had initially said he would not cooperate with the committee.

By all indications, the Jan. 6 Committee appears prepared to plow ahead. Chairman Thompson said of the legalities of subpoenas for sitting congressmen, “If they can, there’ll be no reluctance on our part.”

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