House January 6 panel shows it still has surprises in store in televised hearing

The House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection proved on Thursday night that it still has bombshells to share with the country despite a year of inquiry and intermittent revelations from behind closed doors.

In its first public hearing, in prime time, the committee also laid the groundwork for its argument that Donald Trump played a central role in the planning of the deadly insurrection.

Milley told the committee that Pence, not Trump, called during the attack to plead for military help as police officers outside and inside the Capitol were overwhelmed by the mob of extremist Trump supporters.

The committee will now have five more opportunities to convince the public that Trump bears personal responsibility for a deadly attack on the US Capitol. Although Trump was impeached by the House for inciting the insurrection, he was acquitted by the Senate, leaving many of his critics feeling as though he was not held accountable for his actions.