Donald Trump has endorsed GOP congressman Barry Loudermilk of Georgia after the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot asked him to cooperate with their investigation.
Trump called Loudermilk a “fantastic Representative for the incredible people of Georgia’s 11th Congressional District.”
He made no mention of the investigation.
In a letter to Loudermilk on Thursday, the Jan. 6 committee asked him to voluntarily sit for an interview to answer questions about a tour he led of the Capitol complex a day before a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building.
“Based on our review of evidence in the Select Committee’s possession, we believe you have information regarding a tour you led through parts of the Capitol complex on January 5, 2021,” the letter said.
Republicans had previously said that no tours were given in the days leading up to January 6.
In a joint statement with the top Republican on the House Administration Committee, Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Loudermilk claimed that the tour was made up of “a constituent family with young children meeting with their Member of Congress in the House Office Buildings.”
Loudermilk and Davis said the family “never entered the Capitol building.”
“No place that the family went on the 5th was breached on the 6th, the family did not enter the Capitol grounds on the 6th, and no one in that family has been investigated or charged in connection to January 6th,” the lawmakers say.
Loudermilk was one of nine endorsements Trump issued on Saturday after suffering loses in Idaho’s gubernatorial race and in North Carolina US House race with incumbent Rep. Madison Cawthorn on Tuesday.
Georgia’s primary election will be held this Tuesday.
