Secret Service confirms it deleted Jan. 6-related text messages Transcript

Tony: (00:00)
Now, the January 6th investigation, and what happened to those Secret Service text messages? The national archive wants to know how the service lost messages linked to the assault on the Capitol. And the Secret Service has confirmed just yesterday, in fact, that the messages cannot be recovered. It says they disappeared during a long scheduled service update back in 2021. Scott McFarland is on Capitol Hill for us, once again, where the January 6th select committee is preparing for tomorrow night’s prime-time hearing. Scott, good morning.

Scott: (00:30)
Tony, good morning to you. There will be some key witnesses at that hearing tomorrow, witnesses who worked inside the Trump White House on January 6th. But it’s the search for those missing text messages that has so many people here searching for answers. Tuesday’s deadline for the Secret Service came and went. Some of the text messages exchanged within the agency on January 5th and 6th, 2021, remain missing, not handed over despite a subpoena from the January 6th select committee, potentially deleted and irretrievable.

Speaker 3: (01:02)
Well, one thing I’ve learned in this process is that when one evidentiary door closes, another one will open and we’ll find a way.

Scott: (01:08)
The National Archives has ordered an internal review of what it calls unauthorized deletion of texts by the Secret Service, which this morning is pledging full cooperation. The January 6th committee had been seeking the records ahead of Thursday’s prime-time hearing, which the panel says will show dereliction of duty by former president Trump during the riot, despite urgent warnings from his inner circle. Two White House aids who quit after the attack. Former deputy National Security advisor, Matt Pottinger, and deputy press secretary, Sarah Matthews will be the star witnesses. And John Wood, a former lead investigator on the January 6th committee told CBS News the panel will show Trump’s inaction that day.

Speaker 4: (01:49)
I think they need to finish by focusing on those critical 187 minutes between when the attack on the Capitol started and when Donald Trump finally issued a video statement, asking people to leave the Capitol.

Scott: (02:01)
Meanwhile, this morning, the justice department presents a second day of witnesses in the contempt of Congress trial of former Trump strategist, Steve Bannon, who’s criminally charged with stonewalling this committee. Tuesday, committee A testified the panel subpoena wasn’t optional, had a clear deadline, and that Bannon’s testimony was needed. After sitting silent with a mask much of the day, Bannon uncorked his criticism for the committee members outside.

Speaker 5: (02:25)
Have the guts and the courage, the guts and the courage to show up here and say exactly why it’s a crime.

Scott: (02:32)
Committee members tell us we’ll hear more tomorrow from that pre-taped deposition they did with former Trump White House council, Pat Cipollone. The one familiar face will likely be missing tomorrow. Committee chairman, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi says he’s tested positive for COVID, that the hearings will proceed even in his absence. Tony?

Tony: (02:53)
Got it, Scott. Thank you very much.