Trump repeatedly told fraud claims baseless, panel hears | First Thing

William Barr said ex-president's allegations were bullshit', while several advisers told him not to declare victory on election night. Plus, The Bourne Identity at 20

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Good morning.

The House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection yesterday scrutinized the conspiracy theories that led a group of Donald Trump's supporters to attack the US Capitol, and produced testimony damning of the former US president.

What did they find out about Trump claiming victory on election night? Trump rejected several advisers' guidance to wait for more votes to be counted. Trump instead followed the advice of an apparently inebriated" Rudy Giuliani to falsely declare victory before a winner was known, Liz Cheney said at the hearing.

What has Trump said in response? After yesterday's hearing, Trump issued a 12-page statement calling the investigation a kangaroo court" and a distraction, and repeating false claims of voter fraud.

Will there be a backlash? Yes. These officials are likely to face swift backlash from the right, including, in some cases, retaliation from state authorities who will demand they enforce the law as written. But they are determined to press ahead.