Thompson also said this won't be the end of that cooperation, that they are engaging right now, and as that engagement continues, they will find ways to get the Department of Justice, what they're looking for.

The Honorable Bennie G. Thompson, a Representative in Congress From the State of Mississippi, and Chairman, Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol

American democracy, Mr. Chairman, is a precious inheritance, something rare in the history of the world.

American carnage, that is Donald Trump's true legacy.

You can't turn violent. You can't try to achieve your desired outcome through force or harassment or intimidation.

What happened on January 6, 2021, was another one of those moments in history that tests the strength of our Federal Government.

We settle our differences at the ballot box.

He threatens to take one of America's two major political parties with him down the road to authoritarianism.

We need to defend both our democracy and our freedom with everything we have.

Any real leader who sees their supporters going down that path, approaching that line, has a responsibility to say, 'Stop.'

A violent insurrection to overturn an election is not an abstract thing as we've heard.

If downfall ever comes to America, we ourselves would be its 'author and finisher.'

It is time to speak the truth about these groups and the violent influence they wield.

What Donald Trump was required to do in that moment--what would have been required of any American leader--was to say, 'We did our best, and we came up short.'

Although that turn of phrase explained little about our country before he took office, it turned out to be an excellent prophecy of what his rage would come to visit on our people.

Instead, the President of the United States sent the mob.

What this Committee, what all of us will do to fortify our democracy against coups, political violence, and campaigns to steal elections away from the people.

In the run-up to January 6th, Donald Trump had an obligation to tell his supporters to accept the results of the election.

the problem of politicians whipping up mob violence to destroy fair elections is the oldest domestic enemy of constitutional democracy in America.

I wonder what former President Trump would say to someone like Sergeant Gonell who must now go about remaking his life.

Nothing he ever saw in combat in Iraq, he has said, prepared him for the insurrection.

His desire to overthrow the people's election and seize the Presidency... nearly toppled the constitutional order.

He lied to his supporters and the country.

The select committee to investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol will be in order.

If you`ve heard this testimony today, and suddenly you remember things you couldn`t previously recall or there are some details you`d like to clarify, or you discovered some courage you had hidden away somewhere, our doors remain open.