Speaker Pelosi announces plans for a ‘9/11-type commission’ on the 1/6 insurrection

Pelosi News Conference

In the end, the second impeachment of Donald Trump ended up with an acquittal in the Senate because only 57 senators voted to convict Trump. It made me sad, but again, I don’t understand why people directed their anger at Democrats, who voted across the board to impeach, condemn and punish Trump. It’s not their fault the Constitution is f–ked and they’re not the Party of Violent Insurrection. It was clear that Speaker Pelosi – who continues to be justifiably enraged – had a larger plan throughout. The first phase was impeachment, the most direct action she could take in her position. There was also a ton of sh-t she did behind-the-scenes, especially given that Trump tried to assassinate her. But Speaker Pelosi has more phases. Impeachment wasn’t the only tool in her toolbox. Now she’s calling for a 9/11-type commission on the January 6th insurrection.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced in a letter to House Democrats on Monday plans for the creation of a “9/11-type commission” to investigate the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

“To protect our security, our security, our security, our next step will be to establish an outside, independent 9/11-type Commission to ‘investigate and report on the facts and causes relating to the January 6, 2021 domestic terrorist attack upon the United States Capitol Complex,'” Pelosi wrote. Pelosi has previously called for the formation of such a commission and said she believes there is a need for it.

A commission of this nature would be established by a statute, passed by both chambers and signed into law by the President. The commission members would not be elected leaders and would be outside the government.

In a separate letter to House Democrats earlier this month, Pelosi wrote that it is “clear that we will need to establish a 9/11-type Commission to examine and report upon the facts, causes and security relating to the terrorist mob attack on January 6.”

[From CNN]

I agree with her. It’s not going to happen overnight though, and I wonder if those same seven senators who voted to convict Donald Trump will also vote for the commission. It took forever for the 9/11 Commission to get up and running because – at the time – George W. Bush delayed his approval (because he knew how bad his administration would look). While President Biden is understandably eager to push through more of his First 100 Days agenda, I think Biden has probably been pushing congressional leaders for this behind-the-scenes. It takes the task of a larger investigation out of the White House AND out of Congress’s hands. It will be more thorough and less political on a daily level. And there is a deeply urgent need for truth, accountability and consequences. I said the other day, post-acquittal, that I was slightly surprised that President Biden wasn’t talking about an independent counsel or special prosecutor for the insurrection. This is probably why he hasn’t: because he knew Speaker Pelosi would push for this commission.

Congress Meets to Certify Electoral College Vote at the U.S. Capitol

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

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25 Responses to “Speaker Pelosi announces plans for a ‘9/11-type commission’ on the 1/6 insurrection”

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  1. Lightpurple says:

    Jordan, Gohmert, Brooks, McCarthy, Scalise, Cruz, Hawley, Blackburn, and Graham should be afraid, very afraid.

  2. psl says:

    Support for Trump is rising again. I am so disgusted by these people, I cannot even express in words.

    I honestly hope something happens and he does not live to see 2022.

    • Rapunzel says:

      Where are you getting the idea support for Trump is rising? It’s not. He’s only got his hard core kool aid drinkers at this point.

      • psl says:

        I have seen articles that his support is rising again since January. There are a lot of crazy people here in aMErica, if you haven’t noticed.

      • april says:

        I just watched The View today and they said the same thing, Trump support is rising.

      • olliesmom says:

        There were a bunch of his followers lining the street outside Mar Logo this weekend and were cheering for him when his motorcade drove by with their stupid MAGAT flags and hats when he returned from playing golf. There are still plenty of them who love him and would do anything for him like stand on a street and wait for him to return from golf just so that they can cheer for him. Like they don’t have anything better to do? SAD.

      • Betsy says:

        Morning Consult/Politico. I saw it on twitter so I don’t think I can link to it here.

        Basically, anyone calling themselves “Republican” may as well call themselves “sht fr brains,” as there is obviously no low too low for them.

    • Rapunzel says:

      PSL- I’m aware of the crazies. I live surrounded by them in CA. Still question any article that says he’s gaining support. Some might have come out of the woodwork, but that’s about it.

      • psl says:

        Are you in OC? I am in LA County, my area is pretty Biden- Harris supportive.

      • Rapunzel says:

        PSL- I’m in Central Valley (between Merced and Modesto). Deep red in this area- My town had a Trump parade in Oct. 2020.

        I don’t believe he’s really gained support. I believe it just looks that way because some supporters shut their mouths until the Republicans finally gave them the talking points to excuse 1-6-21. Now they’re just getting vocal again. But these are the die hards who never really abandoned him.

  3. Murphy says:

    Is this how we’re going to finally be able to hear what those witnesses were going to see before Schumer let them go?

  4. FancyPants says:

    I hate to sound so depressed, but what’s the difference in whatever comes out of this? Is it a legal/criminal thing? Republicans are just going to refuse to cooperate and ignore every request. Are subpoenas issued with a commission? It doesn’t matter, they’ll just ignore them without consequence same as they did with the Mueller probe and the first impeachment. I’m tired of people telling me NY is going to get him or now GA is going to get him. Trump and his cronies are going to skate away again and again and again.

    • Golly Gee says:

      Also, I have my doubts that Republicans will vote to approve a commission, and it can’t happen without their votes, so then what?

  5. smegmoria says:

    A thorough investigation should be done. I’m just concerned about the outcome. The outcome of the 9/11 commission was warrantless serveillance on American citizens. While I also think that white nationalists and antigovernment militias should be monitored, I doubt that is what would happen. Rarely are conservative extremists dealt with. Just look at the Bundy’s. They got away with everything.

  6. Anna says:

    What’s the use? He wasn’t impeached for a second time, we know who the terrorists are inside and outside of the government, why waste more time when we could put that energy into the stimulus and into helping the other 75-80 million who voted for change (which will of course also benefit the other half a-holes, not that they care) We need to stop keeping this shitshow going now that it’s clear there will be no ramifications from the government’s side, maybe on the private level. We need to focus on the fact that we won, on the fact of the work that needs to be done to help the people of this country who are facing horrific circumstances. We tried with the impeachment, it didn’t work, Black folks were yet again unsurprised, and here we are.

    • cer says:

      It’s entirely possible to have the government multi-task. Especially as this commission will most likely not be people involved in day-to-day legislating and governing.
      And, no , we don’t actually know who all the terrorists are inside the government.

    • Betsy says:

      He *was* impeached for a second time, he wasn’t convicted. Can’t help that the GOP is a sick bunch of traitors, we can keep saying it. I refuse to pretend there are any good Republicans.

      • Sigmund says:

        Yes, it’s important to keep hammering this home, because Trump and the Republicans want us to forget it. Trump was impeached twice, but the Senate refused to hand down a penalty for his impeachment both times.

  7. Rapunzel says:

    A lawsuit was filed today by the NAACP against Trump, Giuliani, Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers for violating the KKK act in their January 6th insurrection. Using Mitch the turtle’s words as evidence.

    And so it begins…

  8. Jess says:

    I’m so glad she’s pushing this and not letting up. I’m completely baffled by people who think we should just let this go because it’s over, or telling Pelosi she needs to get back to her “real job”. This is her fkng job! What happened was illegal and very dangerous and could happen again if we don’t stop those who helped facilitate it. That’s like not prosecuting a murderer because the victim is already dead so screw it’s, too much work. I mean, wtf are people thinking?!?

    • Twin falls says:

      “This is her fkng job! What happened was illegal and very dangerous and could happen again if we don’t stop those who helped facilitate it. “

      THIS! Fighting the good fight against tyranny in all its forms can at times seem hopeless (by design of those in control) but it still must be fought.

  9. Miranda says:

    Good. But I want to see the Democrats play rough this time. We need to be relentless and ruthless. I know we want to keep the moral high ground, but I think we have that by default at this point. The Republicans have sunk so low that we’d have to dig a hole to the center of the Earth to get down to their level.

  10. Stacy Dresden says:

    This is absolutely necessary