Greene, Democrats offer tale-of-two-jails after visit with Jan. 6 defendants – Yahoo News
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and a pair of Democratic lawmakers offered a tale-of-two-jails on Friday after a group visited the Washington, D.C. jail, where pre-trial defendants from Jan. 6, 2021, are being held.
Greene led the trip to the D.C. jail and was joined by other members of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee from both parties. Greene who previously visited the facility in November 2021 and has been pushing to return since earlier this month said shewanted to tour the jailto address the human rights abuse inside.
But after emerging from the facility, lawmakers from opposite parties offered contrasting accounts of the conditions they had just witnessed.
What we saw today is exactly what weve known all along its a two-tiered justice system, and theres a very different treatment for pre-trial Jan. 6 defendants and the inmates or, you know, other charged defendants and inmates, Greene told reporters outside the jail. A protester blew a loud whistle during her remarks.
These men are being held, their due process rights were being violated, and they have been mistreated, she added, calling the defendants political prisoners.
Greene said the group was not able to tour the entire jail, but they did go into the Jan 6 pretrial defendant wing.
They told us stories of being denied medical treatment, they told us stories of assault, they told us stories of being threatened with rape and guards laughing about it, she said.
The congresswoman did, however, say that there had been some changes since her previous visit to the facility, noting that the jail was cleaner. But she claimed that the inmates had to clean up, scrub the floors, scrub the bathrooms, scrub their cells and paint the entire area, and that happened in this past week before lawmakers were allowed to tour the facility.
After the visit, the two Democrats who took the trip to the jail Reps. Robert Garcia (Calif.) and Jasmine Crockett (Texas) rejected Greenes description of the conditions Jan. 6 defendants were in.
Story continues
These are people that are being treated quite fairly, Garcia told MSNBCs Deadline: White House during an interview. These were conditions where they have access to medical care 24 hours a day, they have tablets for entertainment. Obviously they are being treated by the folks that are there with what their needs are, they can communicate with their families, and theyve done a huge harm to our country.
And so to see Marjorie Taylor Greene right now going on media, lying about the visit, saying that they were in terrible conditions, is just not true, he added.
Crockett who previously worked as a public defender said she witnessed privileged people during her visit to the jail in an interview with MSNBCs The ReidOut.
The privilege that I saw was actually quite astounding, even though we were supposed to talk about or review how bad the conditions were, she added. If anything, I have never seen a jail that afforded so many privileges to anyone and as I said, Ive been licensed in Texas, Arkansas and in federal courts for almost two decades.
The Texas Democrat said its kind of like theres seemingly two versions of what happened on Jan. 6; I had a completely different experience walking into this jail.
Greene and two other GOP lawmakers sent a letter to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) earlier this month asking that she direct the D.C. Department of Corrections to arrange for lawmakers to visit and review the facilities.
The DC Jail Facilities reported mistreatment of pre-trial detainees connected to the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, raise the Committees and Members concerns that DC and DOC is violating detainees constitutional and human rights, the letter reads.
Last year, dozens of Jan. 6 detainees asked to be transferred to the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, claiming that there was black mold in the facility and worms in their food.
The request came to fruition on Friday, when a group of bipartisan lawmakers visited the facility. The Washington Post noted that the Jan. 6 defendants were in the newer Correctional Treatment Facility, and not the Central Detention Facility, which is older.
Garcia and Crockett were the only two Democrats to attend. A spokesperson for Oversight Democrats on Friday said the Democrats on the trip will cut through Republicans attempts to whitewash the dangerous realities of January 6.
There has to be someone that was gonna keep them honest, Crockett said after the visit. I mean, we know that the people that were going on this trip especially the one that led this trip they have a little bit of an issue with the truth.
A number of other Republican lawmakers joined Greene, including Reps. Byron Donalds (Fla.), Eli Crane (Ariz.) and Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.).
Following the visit to the jail, Greene claimed that Jan. 6 was not an insurrection.
Now for two years, weve heard the story from the people on the Jan. 6 committee, weve heard the story about how it was an insurrection and Im gonna tell you something right now, it was not an insurrection, Greene said. And President Trump did not tell anyone to go into the Capitol that day. And as a member of Congress who lawfully objected against Joe Bidens electoral college votes, I was following my duty and so were my colleagues that also did the same thing.
What we have to do is we have to work as hard as possible to defund the two-tiered justice system. And we have to return freedom and due-process rights to these pre-trial Jan. 6 defendants, she added.
Garcia said the worst part of the visit was when we actually saw the inmates, the Republicans rushed to them like they were celebrities.
Talking to them, patting them on the back, interacting with them. These are folks that showed no remorse, he added, referring to the Jan. 6 defendants.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Excerpt from:
Greene, Democrats offer tale-of-two-jails after visit with Jan. 6 defendants - Yahoo News
- Tom Kean Jr.s absence from Congress makes Democrats bullish they can flip his seat - Politico - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats dont need an autopsy to know what they did wrong - vox.com - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Partisan Mud Fight, or Focus on the Midterms? Redistricting Divides Democrats. - The New York Times - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats renew effort to prevent US military action against Cuba - Roll Call - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- More Republicans voted early in May runoff than Democrats - Spectrum News - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- The best thing Democrats can do for the climate: Stop talking about it - vox.com - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- 5 Takeaways From the Democrats Autopsy of Kamala Harriss 2024 Loss - The New York Times - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats Lead the Generic Ballot by 8 Points as Midterms Approach - Data For Progress - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats wanted answers for what went wrong in 2024. Now, there are more questions - NPR - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats clearly learned nothing from their 2024 defeat | Opinion - USA Today - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats admit why Trump beat Kamala Harris - The Times - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats outdraw GOP in Georgia primary as turnout flips from 2022 | - Capitol Beat - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- First Thing: Progressive Democrats criticize 2024 election autopsy for silence on Gaza - The Guardian - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats are racing to one region ahead of the 2028 presidential primaries - NBC News - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- A Republican Bloodbath in the Texas Senate Primary Is Giving Democrats Hope - The New Yorker - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Whats in the Democrats 2024 election autopsy report, and whats left out? - The Guardian - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Scalise: Democrats' Politics of Hatred and Division Need to Stop - Congressman Steve Scalise (.gov) - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Gaza Wasnt the Biggest Omission in the Democrats 2024 Autopsy - The New Republic - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats Move to Force Republicans on the Record on Trump Slush Fund - Congressman John Larson (.gov) - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats demand answers from Treasury secretary on Trump's IRS settlement - ABC13 Houston - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Democrats to choose Congressional nominee from field of three - Decorah Leader - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- House Democrats are scrambling to contain their Maureen Galindo problem - Axios - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- CNN's Manu Raju pushes Jeffries on realities of Democrats' loss in Virginia - CNN - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Democrats turn to state legislative races to catch up in the redistricting battle - NBC News - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- In Ambitious Session, Democrats Focused on Affordability and Addressed Must-Fix Issues Amidst Federal Attacks and a Billion Dollar Deficit - Colorado... - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Meet the Kentucky Democrats who think they can flip McConnells Senate seat - Louisville Public Media - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- California Democrats think voting late will stop a GOP sweep. They might slow down the results - CalMatters - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Wisconsin Democrats split with Gov. Tony Evers over school funding deal - WPR - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Democrats warn a third of the Congressional Black Caucus could be wiped out by redistricting wars - NBC News - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Select Committee Democrats Outline Priorities Ahead of TrumpXi Meeting in Beijing - Select Committee on the CCP - Democrats | (.gov) - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Kentucky Democrats are underdogs in the U.S. Senate race but several candidates argue they can win - Kentucky Lantern - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Key House Republican faces calls from Democrats to resign over radio interview - Axios - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Democrats abandon rollback of business tax breaks to fund family tax credit after Colorado governors veto threat - The Colorado Sun - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Live Nation: Democrats Plan Hearing on Controversial DOJ Settlement, Which Could Preview Oversight Theyll Conduct If Mid-Terms Return Them to Power -... - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Tennessee Democrats removed from House committees after redistricting protests - WBIR - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- 'Im out here with the people': Tensions on display as NH Democrats look towards 2026 - New Hampshire Public Radio - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Tennessee Democrats worry about representation after prompt removal from House committees - WTVC - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Top Democrats press Trump to approve arms sale to Taiwan ahead of Xi meeting - The Hill - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- A Private Call Reveals Democrats Desperation Over Tossing of Map - The New York Times - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Arkansas Democrats accuse governor of rigging the court system, say she should not get to pick judge for her own appeal - Arkansas Times - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- HUD Secretary Shares His Homeless Uncle's Plight as He Spars With Democrats Over Budget Cuts - Realtor.com - May 13th, 2026 [May 13th, 2026]
- Ohio Democrats nearly matched GOP primary turnout. Does it matter for November? - Signal Ohio - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats walk out of redistricting hearing; protesters arrested - WPLN News - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Pennsylvania voter registration: Democrats expand advantage for the first time in years - Pennsylvania Capital-Star - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Takeaways from Indiana, Ohio and Michigan: Trump's flex pays off and Democrats win special election - PBS - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Latino voters shifted towards Democrats on Prop. 50. Heres how we analyzed it. - CalMatters - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Michigan Democrats keep control of state Senate in election win that offers clues about midterms - PBS - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Nadler, 250+ Democrats Fight To Protect Mifepristone Access, Womens Health Care, And FDA Authority - Congressman Jerrold Nadler (.gov) - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | Democrats, Keir Starmer Is a Warning - The New York Times - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | If Democrats Have Appropriate Fear of Trump, They Will Elect Platner - The New York Times - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats retain control of Michigan senate with overperformance in special election - The Guardian - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Scalise: Democrats Must End the Reckless Rhetoric and Focus on Working Families - Majority Leader | Steve Scalise (.gov) - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats criticize Iowa decision to share voter info with US Justice Department - Iowa Capital Dispatch - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats turn out despite little on the ballot - vindy.com - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Why Democrats Stand No Chance in the Gerrymandering Wars - Slate - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Virginia Democrats won the vote on the map, but voters lost the fight - The Hill - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Black voters were the most enthusiastic for the redistricting amendment. Southwest Democrats were the least. - Cardinal News - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats Return to a Tried and True Campaign Message: Trumps Corruption - NOTUS News of the United States - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Trump won Ohio by 11 points. Democrats think they can win there anyway. - MS NOW - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats win big in US special elections, but Trump reinforces hold on GOP - The Times of Israel - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats criticize Iowa decision to share voter info with US Justice Department - KCRG - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Andy Beshear won twice in Trump country. Now he wants to show Democrats how to do it everywhere - MS NOW - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- A California Dream? Some Democrats Fear Harris Picked the Wrong Race. - The New York Times - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Everyone Pardoned By Trump With Political Or Financial Ties To White HouseAs Democrats Investigate - Forbes - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Democrats battling for lieutenant governor spar over ability to flip seat, work with GOP majority - Cherokee Tribune - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Working Americans are taking the streets for May Day. Will Democrats pay attention? | Claire Valdez - The Guardian - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- With Mills out, Democrats line up behind Platner as he reiterates his vision for the party - Maine Morning Star - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Three Democrats vie for what could be partys best hope of an Alabama Senate gain - Alabama Reflector - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- How Democrats running for governor say they differ from Janet Mills - The Portland Press Herald - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- While both political parties are unpopular, Democrats have a lead in the race for Congress - YouGov - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- A fight to win ICE protections for Oregon teachers reveals a rift among Democrats - The Daily Astorian - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Israels center wants Democrats back. It may not have the cards. - Politico - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Democrats wrestle over campaign agenda: You cant just be anti-Trump - Semafor - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Susan Collins votes with Democrats to halt the Iran war - The Portland Press Herald - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- How Democrats Can Have a Better Conversation About Israel - The Bulwark - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- The Rundown: Democrats react to SCOTUS voting rights ruling - WBEZ Chicago - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- What Alex Padilla says Democrats should do about the Voting Rights Act ruling - Politico - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- DEMOCRATIC VOICE: Virginia redrawing voting maps for Democrats and how it plays in Wisconsin - wizmnews.com - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Democrats are lying about what Voting Rights SCOTUS decision actually means - seattlered.com - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- Collins Joins Democrats in Voting For Measure to End Iran War - Time Magazine - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]