Though he claims not to recall exactly what time he spoke to former President Donald Trump on the day of the Capitol insurrection, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) communicated with Trump “more than once” on January 6 and that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was also on at least one of those calls, according to a report from Politico:
“MORE THAN ONE JAN. 6 TRUMP-JORDAN CALL — We know that DONALD TRUMP and Rep. JIM JORDAN spoke once on the day of the Capitol riot, but the Ohio Republican has said he doesn’t remember when their conversation took place. We have some new details that could help clear up that timeframe — including confirmation of at least one more phone conversation between Jordan and the then-president during the siege.”
After they had been evacuated from the House floor, some GOP lawmakers were in a room where they called and spoke with Trump:
“After a group of lawmakers were evacuated from the House chamber to a safe room on Jan. 6, Jordan was joined by Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.) for a call during which they implored Trump to tell his supporters to stand down, per a source with knowledge of that call. The source declined to say how Trump responded to this request.
“Jordan, when asked about whether Gaetz participated, said he’d “have to think about it,” citing many conversations he had during the frenetic attack. He also said phone calls to Trump happened more than once on that deadly day.”
Asked about the new details, Jordan told Politico’s Olivia Beavers:
“Look, I definitely spoke to the president that day. I don’t recall — I know it was more than once, I just don’t recall the times.”
A spokesperson for Gaetz was less forthcoming, remarking:
“Congressman Gaetz speaks with President Trump regularly and doesn’t disclose the substance of those discussions with the media.”
The actual number and substance of those calls is of special interest to the House Select Committee investigating what took place on Jan. 6. The committee is expected to request the phone records of several members of Congress and may also subpoena social media postings made by some Republicans as the Capitol was under attack by thousands of pro-Trump protesters. That rioting resulted in the deaths of five people, including a member of the Capitol Police.
If it can be proven that Gaetz, Jordan, or other Republicans coordinated strategy with Trump on the day of the insurrection, it could result in criminal charges being filed against the conspirators.
