Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania outside the Capitol on December 3, 2020.
Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania outside the Capitol on December 3, 2020.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images
  • Republican Rep. Scott Perry said on Tuesday that he will not cooperate with the January 6 committee.
  • Perry, the incoming head of the hardline House Freedom Caucus, called the committee "illegitimate." 
  • The committee wants to know more about his efforts to install Jeffrey Clark as acting attorney general.

Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania said on Tuesday that he will not comply with a request for information from the House Select Committee that's investigating the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

"I stand with immense respect for our Constitution, the Rule of Law, and the Americans I represent who know that this entity is illegitimate, and not duly constituted under the rules of the US House of Representatives," Perry wrote on Twitter. "I decline this entity's request and will continue to fight the failures of the radical Left."

Perry, an ally of former President Donald Trump, was recently elected chairman of the hardline House Freedom Caucus and will assume that role next year.

The House committee announced on Monday that it is seeking information from Perry over his efforts in 2020 to install former Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark as acting attorney general.

"We have received evidence from multiple witnesses that you had an important role in the efforts to install Mr. Clark as acting Attorney General," committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson wrote in a statement. "Acting Attorney General Rosen and acting Deputy Attorney General Donoghue have provided evidence regarding these issues, and we have received evidence that others who worked with Mr. Clark were aware of these plans."

The committee requested Perry's "voluntary cooperation," asking him to turn over all relevant communications related to January 6, including any communications with Trump's legal team, the former president himself, and others who might've been involved in planning events on that day.

Lawmakers had also proposed four dates between December 28 and January 4 to meet Perry.

This is a developing news story. Check back for updates.

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