Trump, although a spokesperson, stated he disagreed with Hannity’s evaluation.
The texts are the newest indication that a few of the former president’s closest allies grew more and more alarmed by his actions within the aftermath of his defeat, regardless of not saying so publicly. Hannity was one in every of Trump’s staunchest media allies all through his candidacy and presidency and he has usually relied on Hannity for his counsel and conservative media megaphone.
Hannity warned Meadows in a Jan. 5 textual content that amid the “Pence strain … WH counsel will go away.” It was an obvious reference to efforts by Trump and his allies to press Pence to unilaterally block the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.
The texts had been revealed in a letter from Jan. 6 committee Chair Bennie Thompson and Vice Chair Liz Cheney requesting an interview with Hannity, calling him a “reality witness” of their inquiry.
Cautious of potential First Modification issues in calling a information commentator in for an interview, the panel’s leaders pressured they didn’t “search data relating to any of your broadcasts, or your political beliefs or commentary.”
It’s unclear if Hannity will adjust to the panel’s request. A lawyer for Hannity, Jay Sekulow, expressed issues in regards to the constitutional and First Modification implications of the request and stated in an announcement they might be “evaluating the letter from the committee” and would “reply as applicable.”
The texts additionally point out that within the days following the Jan. 6 assault, Hannity struggled to persuade Trump that the election was over — and recommended he was working intently with Meadows and at the least one different Trump ally, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), to get Trump to again down.
“Guys, we’ve a transparent path to land the airplane in 9 days,” Hannity wrote in a textual content to Meadows and Jordan on Jan. 10. “He can’t point out the election once more. Ever. I didn’t have a very good name with him at this time. And worse, I’m unsure what’s left to do or say, and I don’t like not realizing if it’s really understood. Concepts?”
Thompson and Cheney stated they’d data indicating Hannity had “advance data” about Trump and his authorized group’s planning for Jan. 6 and had been offering recommendation to the president and White Home employees.
The panel had beforehand launched a textual content from Hannity to Meadows urging Trump to make an announcement and ask individuals to depart the Capitol throughout the Jan. 6 assault. They usually additionally launched messages Meadows acquired from different Fox personalities urgent him to name on his supporters to face down amid the riot.
It is the second time Hannity’s personal messages have been publicly launched in a Trump-related probe. Texts he exchanged with Trump marketing campaign chair Paul Manafort, throughout Manafort’s legal case, turned public as properly.
Amongst different messages the panel disclosed was a forwarded article from Hannity to Meadows on Jan. 6 that includes a suggestion that some members of Trump’s Cupboard had sought his elimination by way of the twenty fifth Modification.
“We want to query you relating to any conversations you had with Mr. Meadows or others about any effort to take away the President below the twenty fifth Modification,” Thompson and Cheney wrote.
Axios first reported the committee’s planned request of Hannity.
Meridith McGraw contributed to this report.