- Donald Trump is expected to figure prominently into the January 6 committee public hearings.
- Trump staff said "the entire MAGA movement" plans to counter the congressional programming.
- Ensuring that "Trump is defended against yet another Democrat show trial" is the goal, an aide said.
Donald Trump expects loyal lawmakers and MAGA-friendly media outlets to fight for his honor as the January 6 committee floods the airwaves with what's likely to be politically damaging information about his administration's role in the deadly siege at the US Capitol.
The former president, who was stripped of his most prized social media accounts following the violent attack on Washington, is now looking to House Republicans like Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik to run interference for him as the committee moves into its public hearing phase on Thursday night. And they won't be alone, Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich told Insider.
"The entire MAGA movement is united against this illegitimate committee and will work to ensure President Trump is defended against yet another Democrat show trial," Budowich wrote in an email. "Elected leaders and conservative organizations from every corner of our party are working together to ensure every American is informed by the truth, something the Fake News media is unwilling to do."
So far, that loosely coordinated effort has included a prebuttal by Stefanik on Breitbart News as well as some finger-pointing on Twitter by McCarthy and others under investigation by the committee.
The counter programming plans may come into sharper focus after Trump huddles with some House Freedom Caucus members Tuesday at his private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Politico reported that GOP Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, and Matt Rosendale of Montana were expected to trek up to Trump's summer home to talk strategy.
All three House Republicans voted to overturn the 2020 election results at the behest of Trump. Biggs and Perry have been subpoenaed by the January 6 select committee to discuss what they know about the day's events.
They've got their work cut out for them, according to January 6 committee member Jamie Raskin.
The Maryland Democrat said the committee has compiled evidence against Trump that shows he did a lot more than just incite an insurrection.
"I think that Donald Trump and the White House were at the center of these events," Raskin told The Washington Post.