Hank Johnson: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 12, the insurrection protection…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 12, the insurrection protection committee, which Speaker McCarthy, the 21st century McCarthyism, had to agree to last week in order to gain the Speakership. MAGA extremist Republicans forced, as a consequence of getting their vote, the Speaker to promise to create this select committee. Donald Trump had his hands in it. Donald Trump had his hands in it last week. During this circular firing squad, he was calling the shots, and this will benefit him. This insurrection protection committee is set up to insulate the ex- President, along with various MAGA Republicans who are still serving here in the House and who are under investigation. It is here to protect them from that investigation. It is here to disrupt the flow of justice in this country. This is a dangerous, extreme committee that is put in the hands of a group of people who even defied congressional subpoenas and refused to come to testify before the January 6th Committee. {time} 1400 Now they are trying to interfere with the Justice Department deliberations on whether or not they should be accused and charged with committing criminal offenses in the lead up to, on January 6, and thereafter. This is a very dangerous piece of legislation. MAGA Republicans are behind it, led by the head election denier in this country, who, by the way, instituted something down in Brazil this weekend. It is a worldwide affair. This is dangerous.…”