New revelations and 3 other takeaways from the first Jan. 6 committee hearing

Fill in some text

It wasn't clear what the country could expect from the Jan. 6 select committee's beginning presentation of its findings, but the prime-time, opening-day hearing Thursday night had lots of new information, and it was presented in a calm and cogent way.

The committee transported the audience back to Jan. 6 with behind-the-scenes and up-close video of what happened that day. It also made a strong case that former President Donald Trump was the central character responsible for what happened — with on-camera testimony from many of the people closest to him, including his daughter Ivanka, who broke with him over his election lies that the election was stolen.

It wasn't stolen, and the people closest to him knew it — despite Republican leaders who once criticized Trump for his role quickly reversing course to curry political favor with him.

It wasn't stolen, and the people closest to him knew it — despite Republican leaders who once criticized Trump for his role quickly reversing course to curry political favor with him.

"Tonight, I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible," said committee Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain.

"Tonight, I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible," said committee Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain.

The committee hopes it all breaks through with most Americans, especially as fewer are blaming Trump as being responsible for the insurrection than they did immediately following it, partisan gaps becoming wider, and with conservative media doing all it can to circle the Trump wagons and downplay the committee's findings

Here are four takeaways from the first day of the hearings: 1. New facts and information were revealed Among them: – Not previously publicly seen video footage from police body cameras, Capitol hallway and office footage, as well as police radio communication;

– Trump Attorney General Bill Barr telling investigators in his on-camera deposition that he told Trump his allegations of election fraud were "bullshit." Barr revealed this in his book, but it carries different weight with him telling it to a congressional committee;

– Trump Attorney General Bill Barr telling investigators in his on-camera deposition that he told Trump his allegations of election fraud were "bullshit." Barr revealed this in his book, but it carries different weight with him telling it to a congressional committee;

– Ivanka Trump, the former president's daughter and a former senior adviser in his White House, saying she accepted what Barr had to say. "I respect Attorney General Barr," she was shown saying, "so I accepted what he was saying."

– Ivanka Trump, the former president's daughter and a former senior adviser in his White House, saying she accepted what Barr had to say. "I respect Attorney General Barr," she was shown saying, "so I accepted what he was saying."