House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Barry Loudermilk are at odds over how to proceed with a new Republican-led investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack. Johnson reportedly wants to narrow the scope, possibly ending the probe into figures like former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, while Loudermilk and others push for a broader investigation that examines security failures and critiques the previous January 6 committee’s work. Though Johnson promised full funding and a formal committee, behind-the-scenes disagreements have delayed progress. Loudermilk insists on having autonomy and the authority to publicly report the findings without political interference.

The revived investigation appears aimed at shifting the narrative away from Donald Trump’s role in the Capitol riot. Loudermilk criticized the former bipartisan January 6 select committee for focusing too heavily on Trump, saying it overlooked systemic failures. Republicans are using their control of Congress and the White House to carry over politically charged investigations from the previous session, with plans to restructure the committee to give Johnson more control. Meanwhile, President Biden issued preemptive pardons to figures including Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci, reportedly to protect them from potential retaliation by a returning Trump administration, a move seen as both protective and controversial.