Nominee for Justice Department watchdog declines to call January 6 violence an attack

The nominee to lead the Justice Department inspector general office declined during a Senate confirmation hearing to describe the January 6, 2021 events as an attack. ’” The nominee described activity outside the Capitol that included protests and violence on the Capitol grounds.

A Democratic senator asked the nominee whether the Capitol was attacked on January 6. The nominee responded that people entered the Capitol building contrary to law and acknowledged physical violence outside the Capitol.

Background on the inspector general role The inspector general position was created by Congress in the 1970s as part of post-Watergate reforms. The office investigates waste, fraud, and abuse within executive branch agencies. The nominee has worked as an attorney in the Justice Department inspector general office and has held oversight roles at other agencies.

Questions on the 2020 election The same senator asked the nominee who won the 2020 election. The nominee stated that former President Biden had been certified by the Senate as the winner. The nominee denied discussing with the White House how to answer that question.

The senator said the questions served as a test of the nominee’s independence. The nominee agreed with a federal court conclusion that certain inspector general terminations broke the law.