The January 6 committee investigating the Capitol insurrection is now zeroing in on elected Republican members of Congress and the information they may have. With Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan revealed in one of the damning text messages, former US attorney Barbara McQuade said that the Ohio congressman may face jail time should he choose to defy the panel.
Speaking on MSNBC’s “The Sunday Show” with host Jonathan Capeheart, McQuade explained that Jordan has no leverage but to cooperate with the House committee if he decides to defy the panel and refuse to talk should he be subpoenaed. McQuade said that Jordan may end up in jail in a situation deemed “unprecedented” as it involves a sitting member of Congress.
Jordan has previously revealed that he was among the lawmakers who spoke with now-former President Donald Trump as the insurrection was taking place. McQuade said that at some point, Jordan’s possible refusal to testify before the committee would have an impact on his candidacy due to the base of people who support him that are very much loyal to Trump.
“Well, I think at some point, if he continues to fight, then the committee will demand that he come by issuing a subpoena. At that point his options are to be held in contempt, which can include jail time if he is prosecuted for that crime; so the same path that we have seen for Steve Bannon. So I think it is going to be difficult for him to manage because unlike Steve Bannon, he’s an elected official,” said McQuade.
Previously, a guest on Fox News ripped into Jordan and his past following his criticism of US President Joe Biden. Jordan criticized Biden for the Democratic leader’s response to COVID-19, inflation, and crime. Political adviser Krystal Knight pointed out Jordan’s past controversies, including the infamous allegations of covering up sexual crimes that were occurring in Ohio State University.
“We cannot blame the president for every single thing,” said Knight. “We have to remember who the messenger is. This is the same Jim Jordan who sent a text on Jan. 5 encouraging the insurrection. This is also the same Jim Jordan who covered up a sexual crime in his state.”