Several House Republicans raised concerns about whether the Jan. 6 committee is violating ethics rules in turning to a former ABC News executive to produce its hearings this month.
Reps. Jim Banks, Jim Jordan, Rodney Davis, Kelly Armstrong, and Troy Nehls asked the panel in a Wednesday letter to clarify whether James Goldston, a former president of ABC News, is being paid for his services, as doing so for free is barred, and whether Goldston’s hiring was approved by the Committee on House Administration.
TRUMP ALLIES LAUNCH COUNTERMESSAGING EFFORTS AHEAD OF JAN. 6 HEARINGS
“‘The Committee on House Administration will not approve a contract if the services to be provided by the consultant are the regular duties of Committee staff,’” the letter says, quoting the Congressional Handbook’s regulations on consultants. “Planning, preparation, and production of hearings are unquestionably the ‘regular duties of Committee staff.'”
Goldston has been brought on as an adviser, Axios revealed Monday, noting that he “is busily producing Thursday’s 8 p.m. ET hearing as if it were a blockbuster investigative special.”
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At a minimum, the first of six planned public Jan. 6 committee hearings in June will be broadcast during prime time on major networks. The committee has promised new material as it presents some of its findings on the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
The Jan. 6 committee did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
