Rep. Andy Biggs won't cooperate, so the Jan. 6 committee should just subpoena him

Fat chance that Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs will voluntarily spill the beans over his involvement in the U.S. Capitol insurrection to keep Donald Trump in the White House.

On Monday, the congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riots asked Biggs, and Reps. Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson to testify.

“We’re aware of your participation in certain planning meetings, both in person at the White House and remotely,” panel chairman Bennie Thompson and vice-chair Liz Cheney wrote in a letter to Biggs.

They continued:

“We have information regarding your efforts to persuade state legislators and officials that the 2020 election was stolen and/or to seek assistance from those individuals in President Trump’s efforts to overturn the election.”

And finally:

“We would like to meet with you.”

Andy Biggs' text suggests he was involved

That friendly invitation won’t compel Biggs to meet with committee members.

Perhaps a subpoena is on its way?

The new interest in Biggs’ involvement comes courtesy of his pal, Mark Meadows, Trump’s former chief of staff.

Biggs reportedly suggested in a text message to Meadows that Republican-led states should take steps to effectively overturn the 2020 election results.

“I love it,” Meadows is said to have responded. Then Arizona and six other states did just that – they selected fake electors and actually submitted paperwork to Congress.

That in itself is a pretty big deal.

Is that the extent of their involvement, though? Doubt it.

Biggs later responded saying what we had easily anticipated.

“I will not be participating in the illegitimate and Democrat-sympathizing House Jan. 6 committee panel,” he said in a statement. 

“The committee has been a sham since its origins. Its entire purpose is to destroy President Trump and his supporters, intimidate members of Congress, and distract Americans from real issues that are destroying this country,” he said. 

He has no reason to volunteer. Subpoena him

Biggs, a member of the Freedom Caucus, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. That isn’t necessarily a secret, and it should disqualify him from serving in Congress.

But Biggs won’t go away by himself, given that clearly enough people in his heavily Republican Congressional District 5 still back him. He’s seeking a fourth term this year with no opponent in the GOP August primary.

He’s likely to cruise through the general election, too, if enough voters still believe in the Stop the Steal movement.

What’s left to be done then? Force him to testify under oath over his involvement in overturning a presidential election.

If Biggs is brave enough to challenge America’s core democratic principles, such as the legitimacy of elections, he should be brave enough to face the consequences.

Elvia Díaz is an editorial columnist for The Republic and azcentral. Reach her at 602-444-8606 or elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter, @elviadiaz1. 

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