Jan. 6 Committee requests cooperation from Sean Hannity and releases texts from the Fox News host about the attack

The congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 rioting at the U.S. Capitol requested voluntary cooperation from Fox News host Sean Hannity and released related texts from him to the White House.

The development was first reported by Jonathan Swan at Axios.

The committee has subpoenaed more than two dozen former officials of the former Trump administration but has been rebuffed by some who have filed lawsuits to block the requests for testimony and documents related to the events of Jan. 6.

In the letter requesting Hannity's cooperation, the committee outlined texts from the host to Mark Meadows, who was the White House chief of staff at the time.

"We can't lose the entire WH counsel's office," read a text from Hannity to Meadows on December 31. "I do not see January 6 happening the way he is being told. After the 6th. He should announce will lead the nationwide effort to reform voting integrity. Go to Fl and watch Joe mess up daily. Stay engaged. When he speaks people will listen."

In another text to Meadows and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Jan. 10, Hannity appeared to reference a phone call he had with Trump.

"Guys, we have a clear path to land the plane in 9 days. He can't mention the election again. Ever. I did not have a good call with him today," wrote Hannity. "And worse, I'm not sure what is left to do or say, and I don't like not knowing if it's truly understood. Ideas?"

The committee asked Hannity to schedule a time for him to provide his testimony, and went on to express interest in other communications at the time of the attack.

"We are also interested in other communications you may have had with the White House, the President, the Trump legal team or any other persons involved in the events of January 6th," the letter read. "We now ask you to preserve all records of such communications."

Sean Hannity's attorney Jay Sekulow responded with a short statement.

“If true, any such request would raise serious constitutional issues including First Amendment concerns regarding freedom of the press," said Sekulow.

Here's more about the Jan. 6 rioting:

Biden set to speak on anniversary of Jan. 6 insurrectionwww.youtube.com