House Jan. 6 committee so far refuses to provide DOJ with witness transcripts

May 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. House committee investigating the violent January 6 capitol insurrection is for now refusing to turn over witness deposition transcripts to the Department of Justice.

January 6 Select Committee Chair Bennie Thompson has not agreed to the request.

The New York Times first reported the DOJ request Tuesday.

The written request came from Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., assistant attorney general for the criminal division, and Matthew M. Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, to Timothy J. Heaphy, lead investigator for the Select Committee.

Rep. Thompson told reporters the transcripts are the work product of the committee and the committee is conducting its own investigation. Thompson said the committee can't give the DOJ full access to "our product."

The January 6 Select Committee subpoenaed five House members on May 12 in its ongoing investigation into the January 6 violent attack by Trump supporters on the U.S. capitol.

The U.S. Justice Department has prosecuted over 800 people on charges stemming from the attack. DOJ's investigation is separate from the House Select Committee's probe.

The January 6 committee indicated for the first time in March that former President Donald Trump was part of a criminal conspiracy to overturn Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.

The DOJ appears to be widening its investigation beyond those who actually attacked the U.S. Capitol into those involved in planning and organizing of the January 6 Trump rally held immediately before the capitol attack.