Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., spoke on Dec. 19 as the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack presented its final findings to the public.
Thompson noted that faith in the electoral system and its outcomes is foundational to American democracy. He said that former president Donald Trump broke that faith when he refused to concede, despite knowing that he had lost the 2020 presidential election, adding that the country is still “in strange and uncharted waters” as it reckons with the attempt to block the lawful transfer of power on Jan. 6.
Thompson also emphasized his view that accountability will play a crucial role in preventing future crises like the insurrection, a concept that he said goes beyond the details and recommendations presented by the committee.
“We will also show that evidence we have gathered points to further action beyond the power of this committee or the Congress to help ensure accountability on the law,” Thompson said. “Accountability that can only be found in the criminal justice system.”
The Jan. 6 committee will release its full report later this week as the panel wraps up its work.
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