Umamah Bakharia

Exhibits released by White House investigators, former US president Donald Trump’s original script for his speech the day after the Capitol insurrection included tough talk, which ordered the Justice Department to “ensure all lawbreakers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law” and stating the rioters “do not represent me.”

But those words were crossed out with thick black lines, apparently by Trump.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, analyst Ebrahim Deen says the hearings are aimed at unpacking what transpired on 6 January 2020.

“[The hearings are aimed at] finding out what led to the events and [then] try to come up with recommendations to ensure that it doesn’t happen again,” says Deen.

On 6 January 2020, people stormed the Capitol Hill building, which led to several deaths, injured more than 140 police officers and delayed certification of Democratic President Joe Biden’s victory in the November 2020 election. Hearings have been ongoing in Trump’s role that could have prevented the riots from escalating.

“Many of the Republicans have boycotted the hearing, so its a very democratic led hearing,” says Deen.

This point has resulted in American media coverage is on the hearings, with the Republican media stations trying to create doubt on Trump’s involvement in the riots.

“Its been so difficult to avoid it though that many of the more Republicans writing in conservative media [are] trying to promote a narrative that is actually nullified the hearings,” says Deen.

The hearings have been affecting public opinion at the polls.