“I knew that when I gave him direct legal advice on shooting he would be bothered because it was not what he wanted to hear. And I knew it would jeopardize my support, but I thought it was an honorable thing. he did it, “Brooks said.
The Alabama Republican initially made the claim in a statement in response to Trump’s decision to withdraw his support in the Senate race. Brooks was once one of Trump’s most loyal supporters at the Capitol. He was one of the first Republicans to pledge to use the January 6 election certification to overturn the results. He also spoke during the “Stop the Steal” rally about the lack of the White House that preceded the Capitol attack. Dressed in a Kevlar vest, Brooks told the crowd that they had to “start knocking down names and kicking ass”.
He then told the crowd to “carry this message to the Capitol.”
While Trump’s direct pressure on lawmakers and government officials at both state and federal levels to intervene in the election has been well documented, he has largely abandoned his public and legal impetus to overturn the results after the January 6 violence. Trump never immediately acknowledged the election, although he did give a brief speech the day after the riots, acknowledging that a new administration would be inaugurated and promising a smooth transition.
However, according to Brooks, Trump was still working behind the scenes in an effort to persuade lawmakers like him to prevent Biden from taking office. It is a claim that has not been made so far.
In an exchange with CNN, Brooks said that his talks with Trump on the pressure to cancel the election results came “After September 1, 2021 and many times.”
Trump’s lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.
The revelation by Brooks could focus the work of the House Selection Committee investigating Jan. 6 to encourage cooperation from a panel of Republican lawmakers who the committee believes played a role in either overthrowing the election or encouraging that chaos. the day. So far, the committee has requested voluntary cooperation from Representatives Jim Jordan of Ohio and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, as well as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. All three men rejected the committee.
Asked if he would work with the Jan. 6 commission, Brooks replied: “I have not thought about it.”
A spokesman for the committee declined to comment when asked if the committee would be interested in talking to Brooks based on his new comments.
The committee has not formally asked Brooks to appear before the committee, but they have shown interest in his role. As previously reported by CNN, Brooks was on a list of GOP members whom the commission asked telecommunications companies to maintain telephone and data records.
CNN’s Melanie Zanona contributed to this report.
