The House unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday night establishing a task force to investigate the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, in a rare moment of unity for the chamber. There wasn’t a single no vote. The final tally was 416-0.
Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will now appoint members to the task force, which will be split 7-6 between Republicans and Democrats. The panel will have subpoena power and be responsible for delivering a report and potential legislative recommendations no later than Dec. 13.
While a number of committees have begun probing the security failures in the run-up to the July 13 Trump rally where the shooting took place, the commission is ready to take the reins of the high-profile investigation, much to the chagrin of some committee leaders.
Johnson is expected to unveil his selections for the panel this afternoon and has been working behind the scenes to ensure bipartisan cooperation with Jeffries. But there was some drama before the picks were even announced.
The House Freedom Caucus balked at the idea of Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the former chair of the House’s Jan. 6 Select Committee, from serving on the task force. Johnson then told us he didn’t think Thompson would be a “good choice.”
The only problem? Thompson said he has no interest in serving on the panel. “I don’t want to be on it,” Thompson told us.
Still, Jeffries’ office sent along a statement blasting the House Freedom Caucus’ demands. Here’s his spokesperson, Christie Stephenson:
