<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1655918003715,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"0000017d-00b6-db7d-abfd-7cb766d10000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1655918003715,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"0000017d-00b6-db7d-abfd-7cb766d10000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_55745223", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1036702"} }); ","_id":"00000181-8c67-ddcb-a3e1-cd6780640000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedA top investigator for the House Jan. 6 committee is reportedly departing from his role this week, earlier than anticipated.
John Wood, a senior investigative counsel on the committee, confirmed his departure to CNN, but he declined to elaborate on why he was moving on from the role as rumors swirl that he has been encouraged to run for the open Senate seat in Missouri.
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Wood’s exit comes as the committee is in the thick of public hearings about the Capitol riot and the coinciding efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. The panel held its fourth public hearing on Tuesday, focusing on how former President Donald Trump and his allies pressured state and local officials amid their gambit to challenge the election results.
Last week, Wood’s questioning of Judge Michael Luttig drew widespread attention. Luttig stressed that then-Vice President Mike Pence had no legal authority to decertify the election results — something Trump and his allies pushed, hoping to exploit legal loopholes to tip the election to Trump. Wood clerked for Luttig.
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In addition to serving as the top investigative counsel for the panel, he has also served as counsel to Vice Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-WY), the Jan. 6 committee’s top Republican. He has also served as the general counsel for the Chamber of Commerce and a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Jan. 6 committee for comment.
One of the top contenders Woods may face for the Missouri Senate seat if he were to enter the race, Eric Greitens, sparked controversy for a fiery advertisement in which he wielded a rifle and crowed about hunting “RINOs,” or Republicans in name only. Greitens insisted the ad was a “metaphor” but faced condemnation from both the Right and the Left.
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Greitens and Wood would be running for the seat vacated by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), who has held the seat since 2011.
Wood had previously worked for former Sen. Jack Danforth (R-MO), who has been looking for an independent to enter the race and eyed Wood, the Hill reported. The primary for the race is slated for August.
