The opening day of testimony, heard by the panel appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday, renewed focus on former President Donald Trump's handling of the siege while providing Biden and his congressional allies with the opportunity to appear pro-police ahead of next year's midterm elections.
Democratic strategist Stefan Hankin insists that the House Select Committee needs to understand what occurred on Jan. 6 to avoid history repeating itself. The hearings make Democrats "look serious" and keep Jan. 6 "in the news," he claimed.
"If Democrats are going into the 2022 elections with one party being the party of trying to improve and strengthen our democracy and the other party being the party of supporting the insurrection, I think that's a good political juxtaposition to be happening," Hankin told the Washington Examiner.
WATCH: JOHN LEGEND CALLS TRUMP A RACIST
The committee is composed of seven Democrats and two Republicans, Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. The pair voted to impeach Trump for inciting an insurrection when the House considered the article after the Jan. 6 riot.
WATCH FETTERMAN REACTING TO PROTESTS WAVES
Pelosi tapped them for the panel after rejecting two members proposed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Her move prompted McCarthy to withdraw his other choices from the proceedings.
Senate Republicans previously opposed Pelosi's framework for a Sept. 11-style independent, bipartisan commission. The GOP organized the 117th Congress's first filibuster citing concerns the body would be redundant due to other investigations into the unrest.
RUSSIAN COURT DENIES EVAN GERSHOVICH'S APPEAL, WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE WSJ REPORTER?
Hankin, president of analytic research firm Lincoln Park Strategies, predicted the committee was unlikely to unearth "a real smoking gun." Yet, he dismissed complaints the panel's findings would be tarnished by partisan politics.
"Thirty [percent] to 38% of the country won't give a crap about what the hell comes out of this thing," he stated. "But I don't think there's a way that any rational human being looks at this and says that it's the Democrats that are being partisan on this, and Republicans are just the good guys."
HRMMM...RUSSIAN PRIEST THAT LEAD NAVALNY'S MEMORIAL SERVICE SUDDENLY 'DISMISSED' BY MOSCOW CHURCH
For Hankin, the best outcome for Democrats was evidence the Trump White House was "clearly passive" during the sacking. Yet, he advised his party against being preoccupied with Trump and Republicans against seeming dispassionate.
SQUATTERS BEWARE AS GEORGIA GOVERNOR SIGNS TOUGH NEW LAW
"The best thing for Republicans is no news, and the best thing for Democrats is a lot of news," he concluded.
Some Republicans contend painting the committee as partisan may rally Trump's supporters before the 2022 midterm election cycle.
PLOT TWIST ALERT: GEORGE SANTOS' EPIC EXIT THROWS CAMPAIGN CIRCUS INTO HILARIOUS CHAOS
White House press secretary Jen Psaki described Tuesday's testimony as "compelling," "heart-wrenching," and "a reminder of the shameful events of Jan. 6," as well as "the incredible bravery of the men and women of law enforcement."
Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy blasted Tuesday as “Pelosi’s partisan pageantry," attempting "to link the atrocities of Jan. 6 to the Republican Party." He told reporters he had not followed the action.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
