STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Bennie Thompson, Chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack Tests Positive For COVID-19

Thompson’s case is said to be mild, and the committee will hold its last hearing of the summer without him.

Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, chair of the House Jan. 6 committee, has tested positive for COVID-19, just days before the panel is set to convene its final scheduled summer hearing.

In a statement, Thompson said he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and that his symptoms are mild.

"Gratefully, I am fully vaccinated and boosted," Thompson said in the statement. "I am continuing to follow (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines and will be isolating for the next several days."

Thompson will not preside over Thursday's primetime hearing, which is expected to focus on former President Donald Trump's response to the attack on the Capitol as lawmakers certified the vote count from the 2020 presidential election confirming Joe Biden as president.

A statement from the committee promises the hearings will continue despite Thompson's absence.  "While Chairman Thompson is disappointed with his COVID diagnosis, he has instructed the Select Committee to proceed with Thursday evening's hearing."

RELATED: Congress To Begin January 6 Public Hearings, Here’s What To Know

The hearing will examine Trump's actions during the 187 minutes between his speech at the Ellipse near the White House and his statement later in the day when he told the rioters that he knew to be armed and dangerous to go home.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.