U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during a recent executive business meeting in Washington, D.C., criticizing what he described as the Trump Administration’s attempt to revise the history of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Durbin called for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to testify before the committee and suggested that a subpoena should be considered if she continues to decline invitations. He stated, “You would think at some point in time this Committee would have Secretary Noem before us. She has received more money than anyone in the history of the Department, billions of dollars. She has authorized the creation of tens of hundreds of new ICE agents to attack these communities. There might be a few questions in the Judiciary Committee. She had no time in the last calendar year to appear here.”
Durbin also referenced former Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell’s comments following January 6: “There’s no question—none—that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day.” He continued, “But Senate Republicans failed to hold Trump accountable when they had the chance. He was acquitted and immediately began plotting a return to power, aided and abetted by many Republican Senators.”
The Senator criticized actions taken during President Trump’s second term: “During his campaign, President Trump promised ‘retribution.’ He has made good on his promise. Throughout his second term, Donald Trump has used the justice system as a shield for his cronies and a sword to attack his opponents.” Durbin further noted that on Trump's first day back in office he "issued a full and unconditional pardon of nearly 1,600 January 6 rioters, including more than 600 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement."
He accused political appointees under Trump’s administration of removing career prosecutors and FBI agents involved in investigating January 6: “Next, Trump’s political appointees led an unprecedented purge of dozens of career prosecutors and FBI agents who simply did their jobs of investigating and prosecuting this attack on the U.S. Capitol.”
Durbin expressed concern about Darin Smith, nominated for U.S. Attorney for Wyoming: “Today, we have a new recruit to the January 6th dream team; Darin Smith, nominated to be U.S. Attorney for Wyoming, is before the Committee. This is a special nominee. You [Senate Republicans] would have never considered voting for this man if he were nominated by a Democratic president.” Durbin said Smith lacks courtroom experience and made claims against Capitol Police officers present on January 6.
He added: “Mr. Smith has zero experience, civil or criminal experience, in court. But he was on the Capitol grounds on January 6. Mr. Smith of Wyoming has made the reprehensible claim that hundreds of Capitol Police officers who risked their lives for us that day were guilty of ‘massive incompetence.’”
Durbin went on to criticize what he called revisionist narratives from both Smith and current White House communications regarding January 6: “Last week, on the riot’s five-year anniversary, the White House published a revisionist history of January 6... And like Darin Smith, the White House blames the Capitol Police for the violence.”
He concluded by questioning whether any Republican senators would speak out against these statements: “We have all seen the videos. Will even one Republican Senator condemn these despicable lies?”
The Senate Judiciary Committee is responsible for reviewing legislation related to criminal justice and civil liberties as well as evaluating judicial nominations and overseeing federal agencies (https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/). The committee operates from Washington D.C., influences constitutional protections nationwide through its legislative duties (https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/), and is chaired by members from both major parties (https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/).
On Secretary Noem's refusal to appear before lawmakers despite her leadership over DHS activities affecting communities across several cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis—Durbin stated her absence was an "insult" to both parties within Congress.
Addressing concerns about Darin Smith's qualifications further during remarks opposing his nomination as U.S. Attorney for Wyoming—Durbin said: “What if we had a nominee for U.S. Attorney representing the Department of Justice in a state who had no criminal experience in court... How could a person like this be taken seriously...? And yet Darin Smith is just that person.”
According to Durbin: “And look what he said about January 6... He blamed Capitol Police officers... baselessly claimed rioters were entrapped by government... maintained his radical stance that Vice President Pence should not have certified results...” He also mentioned claims by Smith regarding FBI interviews connected with former Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
Video footage and audio recordings from Durbin's remarks are available through official channels.
The Senate Judiciary Committee continues its work examining federal judicial nominees while maintaining oversight responsibilities over law enforcement agencies—a role central to upholding constitutional rights across public safety matters (https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/).
