URBANA – The next U.S. House select committee hearing on the events of Jan. 6 will be in July, following the June 23 hearing. But two members of Congress competing in next week’s Illinois Republican primary — Rodney Davis and Mary Miller — aren’t paying much attention to the committee’s findings.
Dr. John Jackson, a visiting professor with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, said the hearings should be required viewing. He said they’ve been “remarkably successful…in documenting a history that will be timeless.”
Congressman Davis supported an inquiry into Jan. 6 and even introduced a bill to do so — but doesn’t approve of the current investigation.
In a statement issued by his office, Davis said: “These sham hearings are nothing more than political theater…Because the Democrats are more focused on punishing their political opponents instead of securing the Capitol Complex, it pains me to say that I don’t think we are any better prepared to avoid a similar attack today.”
Davis’s primary opponent in Illinois’ newly redrawn 15th congressional district, Congresswoman Miller, did not respond to a request for comment on the hearings. But Miller has referred to the Jan. 6 committee as a “witch hunt committee” on social media.
Miller voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results on Jan. 6 of 2021, while Davis voted in favor.
Jackson said that Davis has walked a fine line regarding Jan. 6.
“(Davis) more than ever is needing to appeal to that pro-Trump base that exists in the 15th district…he thinks it’s imperative to toughen up on this,” Jackson said.
According to Jackson, it would be advantageous for Davis to focus on securing the vote of the more moderate and traditional wing of the Republican Party, which has been “dominant in the state for generations.”
Harrison Malkin is a reporter for Illinois Public Media. Follow him @HarrisonMalkin