House Minority Leader Jeffries Names Swalwell Top Democrat on New Jan. 6 Subcommittee

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that Rep. Eric Swalwell has been selected as the top Democrat and ranking member on the newly formed Republican-led select subcommittee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, pending approval from Speaker Mike Johnson. The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, aims to investigate the events surrounding January 6 and potentially review the previous Democratic-led committee, which Republicans criticized as politically motivated. Swalwell, described by Jeffries as a skilled legislator and former prosecutor, emphasized the significance of January 6 alongside other historic attack dates such as December 7, 1941, and September 11. Democrats, including Swalwell and Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Jasmine Crockett, and Jamie Raskin (ex officio member), plan to use the subcommittee to hold accountable those responsible for the attack and highlight issues such as the GOP's refusal to honor Capitol defenders and pardons issued by President Donald Trump to rioters. Republicans view the investigation as a means to expose alleged false narratives from the prior committee, while Democrats accuse Republicans of reviving the issue for political gain. The new subcommittee is part of the House Judiciary Committee and represents a continuation of congressional scrutiny over the Capitol attack.