While US President Joe Biden has mostly steered clear of the House Committee’s investigation into the Capitol insurrection, he has also weighed in on the developments of the probe. GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who is on the committee, has recently defended Biden’s comments on the enforcement of subpoenas by the committee.
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” over the weekend, Kinzinger defended Biden’s comments on the enforcement of the subpoenas issued by the bipartisan committee on members of Donald Trump’s inner circle. Kinzinger noted that Biden also wants answers as to what happened during the Capitol insurrection, noting that he is right to make clear what his administration’s stance is regarding the issue.
“I think the president has made it clear we need answers to this,” said Kinzinger, who has since become a staunch critic of Biden’s immediate predecessor.
“The president has every right to signal,” added the GOP congressman. “I think he has every right to make it clear where the administration stands. God knows, the previous administration every two hours was trying to signal the Justice Department.”
Kinzinger referred to Biden’s comments Friday, saying that he hopes the House Committee would go after those who attempted to defy the panel’s subpoenas and hold them accountable criminally. When Biden was pressed on whether the Justice Department should assist in the panel’s efforts, Biden said yes. The White House shortly clarified Biden’s comments and asserted the independence of the Justice Department.
DOJ spokesperson Anthony Coley also released a statement saying that the agency will remain independent on all prosecutions based on the facts and the law.
In other news, Biden released a statement honoring General Colin Powell, who recently passed away due to complications from COVID-19 but was already suffering from multiple myeloma prior to his infection. Powell made history in becoming the first Black National Security Adviser, first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and first Black Secretary of State. Biden extended his condolences to Powell’s family.
“Jill and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and a patriot of unmatched honor and dignity, General Colin Powell. Time and again, he put country before self, before party, before all else — in uniform and out. He will be remembered as one of our great Americans,” tweeted the US leader.