# Jan 6 Hearings Follow-Along & Commentary Thread (Starts Jun 9, 2022) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 9, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940 "2022-06-09T22:34:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 54
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1061 "2022-06-28T19:35:07Z")
i can’t believe that trump reads transcripts. i will believe he has people who read transcripts and tell him about them, but not that he reads them. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1062 "2022-06-28T19:41:01Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yup. Possibly witness protection. Trumps morons went after an election workers grandmother for gods sake. Before she even testified. Intimidating a witness (or worse) is generally more effective when done _before_ the witness testifies than _after_. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1063 "2022-06-28T19:46:18Z")
Of course not. I’m thinking of the overall impact of the allegations on the public. I was wondering if more people might pay attention if they didn’t think that this was just a rehash of what they heard before. I don’t actually blame them. 6/1 was so shocking that they thought that striking fast they could use this as a “have you no dececency” moment and kill Trump’s. Heck it even looked like McConnell might vote for it. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1064 "2022-06-28T19:46:31Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Even if you’re lying, the worst follow up question is “were you attempting to prevent it anyway?” and then you plead the 5th. Generally, when testifying in court or at depositions, you don’t get to pick-and-choose which questions you will answer. If you want to take the Fifth, you must take the Fifth for ALL questions, not just some of them. Once you answer a question, you waive the Fifth and cannot use it again. That’s why you hear of witnesses taking the Fifth over and over again, for hours on end, for hundreds of questions. So why do the investigators keep asking questions once the witness has taken the Fifth? I think it’s performance art. They want the headlines to say “Witness takes the Fifth three hundred times!!!” Maybe it’s also a sort of pro forma thing, to get it into the official transcript that all those questions were asked and the witness would not answer. Does this general rule apply also when testifying or deposing before a Congressional committee? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1065 "2022-06-28T19:47:08Z")
This wouldn’t be intimidation. It would be revenge. And an object lesson for others who might be thinking of coming forward. Trump wouldn’t even have to order it. One of his Proud Boys or some armed bozo could take care of it. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1066 "2022-06-28T19:49:29Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Apparently there’s significant witness tampering going on– **holy shit**. > [@susan](#): > > Witness intimidation now broadly identified in L. Cheney’s closing remarks. I’m at work so haven’t been able to watch. Can someone please elaborate – who intimidated whom, and how? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1067 "2022-06-28T19:52:44Z")
At the very end, the Chair said many folk testified honestly, but not all. Then Cheney read a couple of emails/texts prospective witnesses had received saying Trump would take care of people who protected him. Had to step away right then - not sure what - if anything - followed. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1068 "2022-06-28T19:54:14Z")
> [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](#): > > Why don’t they bring in Engel himself and have him testify directly? (Is there some Secret Service rule/law about that?) This. Seems like a lot of her testimony is second- or third-party talk – things she heard someone say that someone said. Cassidy says that Ornato said that Meadows said that Trump said . . . Did they ever directly interview Engel or Ornato? Could they have brought them in to testify in these hearings? How about Ratcliffe? Cassidy says Ratcliffe said in December 2020 that he didn’t want to get into all this. Did they ever directly interview Ratcliffe? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1069 "2022-06-28T19:54:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This wouldn’t be intimidation. It would be revenge. And an object lesson for others who might be thinking of coming forward. Of course it would be “intimidation”, of those later possible witnesses. “Snitches get stitches” and all that. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1070 "2022-06-28T19:55:00Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Then Cheney read a couple of emails/texts prospective witnesses had received saying Trump would take care of people who protected him. From this WaPo article; she didn’t name names. > [@](#): > > Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), vice chairwoman of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, closed Tuesday’s hearing by raising concerns about possible witness tampering. > > She said numerous witnesses have described phone calls and other messages from former colleagues that seem to exert pressure in advance of their testimony. One witness described a phone call in which the person was implored to be a “team player” and remain in “good graces in Trump world.” The witness also described being reminded that the former president reads transcripts and pays attention to what’s being said about him, Cheney said. > > Another witness received a call the day before their deposition from a person who seemed to be delivering a message directly from Trump. > > “He wants me to let you know that he’s thinking about you,” it said, according to Cheney’s account of the message. “He knows you’re loyal, and you’re going to do the right thing when you go in for your deposition.” > **[Jan. 6 hearing: Trump wanted armed mob to march to Capitol, sought to join,...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/28/jan-6-committee-hearings-live-updates-day-6/)** > > The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol is holding an unexpected hearing to review recently obtained evidence related to former President Donald Trump and the insurrection. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1071 "2022-06-28T19:57:43Z")
What information that was revealed today was “recently obtained” (by the Committee)? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1072 "2022-06-28T19:57:56Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > At the very end, the Chair said many folk testified honestly, but not all. And that sounds like a shot across the bow to someone they know lied to them. Not naming names just yet, so they **all** wonder “Am I the one they caught?” We might just see a stampede of witnesses to the committee’s door, looking to “correct a mistake” in their testimony. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1073 "2022-06-28T19:58:48Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Generally, when testifying in court or at depositions, you don’t get to pick-and-choose which questions you will answer. If you want to take the Fifth, you must take the Fifth for ALL questions, not just some of them. Once you answer a question, you waive the Fifth and cannot use it again. While it is true you can’t answer on a _particular topic_ and then claim a right to testify further on the same topic, the “rule” is not so broad that you’d have to take the fifth on _every_ question. As one website explains: > Additionally, a witness can begin testifying but invoke the privilege when answers to later questions would be incriminating. If the prosecutor commences by asking benign questions that the witness answers (“What were you wearing that night?”) but moves into questions that go to the heart of the matter (“How many times did you meet with the defendant?”), the witness may claim the privilege. > **[Your Fifth Amendment Privilege Against Self-Incrimination](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/your-fifth-amendment-right-against-self-incrimination.html)** > > When can you “claim the Fifth”? When should you? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1074 "2022-06-28T19:59:17Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > I don’t actually blame them. 6/1 was so shocking that they thought that striking fast they could use this as a “have you no dececency” moment and kill Trump’s. Heck it even looked like McConnell might vote for it. Nitpick: It’s 1/6, not 6/1. Much like how the terrorist attacks 20 years ago are known as 9/11, not 11/9. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1075 "2022-06-28T19:59:23Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Generally, when testifying in court or at depositions, you don’t get to pick-and-choose which questions you will answer. If you want to take the Fifth, you must take the Fifth for ALL questions, not just some of them. Once you answer a question, you waive the Fifth and cannot use it again. I’ve heard this before. Do you have a citation? The Fifth Amendment says ‘nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.’ If the witness answers ‘Yes’ to ‘Do you like ice cream?’ it doesn’t follow that he would now be forced to answer ‘What were you doing in the room where the decedent was killed?’ ---
**Author:** ![SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1076 "2022-06-28T19:59:52Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Generally, when testifying in court or at depositions, you don’t get to pick-and-choose which questions you will answer. If you want to take the Fifth, you must take the Fifth for ALL questions, not just some of them. Once you answer a question, you waive the Fifth and cannot use it again. That’s how Dave Chapelle did it 🙂 [Fiiif Chappelle Show - Fifth Amedment - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdeo7Q2E5cE) ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1077 "2022-06-28T20:00:47Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Dinsdale](#): > > > > Then Cheney read a couple of emails/texts prospective witnesses had received saying Trump would take care of people who protected him. > > From this WaPo article; she didn’t name names. > > > [@](#): > > > > Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), vice chairwoman of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, closed Tuesday’s hearing by raising concerns about possible witness tampering. > > > > She said numerous witnesses have described phone calls and other messages from former colleagues that seem to exert pressure in advance of their testimony. One witness described a phone call in which the person was implored to be a “team player” and remain in “good graces in Trump world.” The witness also described being reminded that the former president reads transcripts and pays attention to what’s being said about him, Cheney said. > > > > Another witness received a call the day before their deposition from a person who seemed to be delivering a message directly from Trump. > > > > “He wants me to let you know that he’s thinking about you,” it said, according to Cheney’s account of the message. “He knows you’re loyal, and you’re going to do the right thing when you go in for your deposition.” > > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/28/jan-6-committee-hearings-live-updates-day-6/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/28/jan-6-committee-hearings-live-updates-day-6/) Holy shit, that’s straight out of the mob playbook – right down to Trump creating plausible deniability by not making the calls himself. Please please please let someone have recorded one of those calls! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1078 "2022-06-28T20:01:26Z")
> [@Tierce](#): > > Assistant to the Chief of Staff, not Deputy, so sounds like she’s Margaret. I think Margaret was more of a secretary than an assistant. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DUwm6WJRPIQ/hqdefault.jpg "West Wing - Leo interviews Ainsley Hayes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUwm6WJRPIQ) And a very good secretary. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1079 "2022-06-28T20:01:57Z")
My excuse is that I watch too much BBC. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940/1080 "2022-06-28T20:03:35Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’ve heard this before. Do you have a citation? The Fifth Amendment says ‘nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.’ If the witness answers ‘Yes’ to ‘Do you like ice cream?’ . . . **Procrustus** has a better explanation, with a cite, a few posts above. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-hearings-follow-along-commentary-thread-starts-jun-9-2022/965940.md?page=55)