Politics: Jan. 6 committee moves to hold former DOJ official in contempt

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack plans to move forward Wednesday with criminal contempt proceedings against a former Justice Department official who declined to cooperate with a panel subpoena and answer committee questions.

On Wednesday evening the panel will take up a criminal contempt report recommending the full House of Representatives hold the former acting head of the DOJ's civil division, Jeffrey Clark, in contempt of Congress -- the same action taken against Trump adviser Steve Bannon several weeks ago.

© Susan Walsh/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

A full House vote is needed to refer the matter to the Biden Justice Department for further action.

Republicans point to number of times Garland has politicized the Justice Department

Attorney General Merrick Garland is under fire from Republican lawmakers for allegedly politicizing the Justice Department. © Provided by Washington Examiner Rep. Jim Jordan spoke to the Washington Examiner about the Garland school boards memo controversy, saying: “My gut tells me that the main focus was this was politics. And that's what the Justice Department has been under Garland.” He added: “Joe Biden criticizes the Georgia election law, a few months later they sue Georgia. Joe Biden criticizes the Texas pro-life law. Eight days later, they sure Texas.

Clark was reportedly in touch with Trump frequently after the 2020 election and was allegedly a major proponent of baseless election fraud claims inside the Trump administration.

© Susan Walsh/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, FILE In this Sept. 14, 2020, file photo, Jeffrey Clark, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division, speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C.

He circulated a draft letter inside the Justice Department to urge Georgia's governor and top Georgia officials to convene the state legislature to investigate voter fraud claims.

Bannon has been charged with two counts of contempt of Congress for failing to testify and turn over records to House investigators, and has pleaded not guilty. A trial has not yet been scheduled.