Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) is reacting to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) decision to reject two of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) recommendations for the January 6 select committee.
“It’s bullsh*t. Jim Banks and Jim Jordan have every right to serve on any committee Kevin appoints them to,” Armstrong said, Politico reporter Olivia Beavers reported.
He added, “Whenever Speaker Pelosi uses the word ‘unprecedented’ it is code for her consolidation of absolute power. She is willing to do anything and everything to maintain control over her conference for the next 18 months.”
“Whenever Speaker Pelosi uses the word ‘unprecedented’ it is code for her consolidation of absolute power. She is willing to do anything and everything to maintain control over her conference for the next 18 months," Armstrong added in response.
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) July 21, 2021
Armstrong is among the five Republicans McCarthy chose to serve on the select committee.
Pelosi released a statement on Wednesday, saying she approached McCarthy about “the objections raised about Representatives Jim Banks and Jim Jordan and the impact their appointments may have on the integrity of the investigation.”
She said she “also informed him that I was prepared to appoint Representatives Rodney Davis, Kelly Armstrong and Troy Nehls, and requested that he recommend two other Members.”
The House speaker added, “With respect for the integrity of the investigation, with an insistence on the truth and with concern about statements made and actions taken by these Members, I must reject the recommendations of Representatives Banks and Jordan to the Select Committee.”
McCarthy pulled all of his picks in response to Pelosi’s decision.
He said in a statement, “Unless Speaker Pelosi reverses course and seats all five Republican nominees, Republicans will not be party to their sham process and will instead pursue our own investigation of the facts.”