Welcome

Hello Delegates,

We are thrilled to welcome you to SAMUN IX 2023 and the January 6th Investigation Crisis Committee. Whether this is your first conference, or you’re a seasoned MUN’er, we are incredibly excited to chair a committee that we hope will be engaging and fun for everyone.

Please take a moment to review the historical background of this committee, but know that this is not the only research you need to do—we encourage you to look far and wide for information on your position and the topic. A January 6th Committee in particular will rely on delegates having done their research and knowing their facts in order to foster an exciting and interesting committee for everyone involved.

This committee is unique in particular because it is an investigative committee. To this end, we would like delegates to familiarize themselves with the process of crisis notes. Crisis notes will be integral to the investigative process; delegates may use them to “uncover evidence” about the attack (or maybe fabricate evidence…), in which the delegate proposes such evidence. This may be different from how delegates are used to dealing with crises in that not all the facts are front and center as we begin committee. Please also note that updates separate from delegate proposals will also be a key part of this committee.

We would like to take a moment to acknowledge that much of the subject matter of this committee is centered around violence and bigotry. At no time during committee should any delegate attempt to impersonate or enact any form of this violence, whether through crisis notes, or debate. Furthermore, if any delegate feels uncomfortable, do not hesitate to talk to any member of the SAMUN Staff. Our aim for this committee is solely to create an enjoyable experience and safe environment for all delegates—and have some awesome MUN!

We are eager to see you in committee! Happy researching!

Your Chairs,

Kai Moloney Seshan

Asha Melvani

If at any time you have any questions, you can reach out to us at:

januarysixthcommittee@gmail.com

Background & History

On January 6th, 2021, soon after former president Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, a mob of his supporters stormed the United States Capitol Building in an attempt to keep him in power. This attack was staged just as Trump delivered a speech near the White House on the rigged election. The goal was to prevent congress from reading the electoral college votes, which would confirm President Joe Biden as president. Five people died during or after the attack, and over one hundred people were injured. While the mob did succeed in disrupting the count of the electoral college votes, Donald Trump’s term as president still ended on January 20, 2021. Some would have liked this date to have been even earlier: was impeached by the House of Representatives, but the Senate did not have enough votes to remove him from office. Discussions among his cabinet to force a vote to strip him of his power were also rumored, but did not come to fruition.

It is now July 1, 2021. The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol has just been formed. All delegates will have to work together to uncover the truth about January 6th and deliver justice by prosecuting (or not prosecuting) members of the attack.

Positions

These delegates must work together to prosecute, or not prosecute, members of the January 6th attack. Note that while these names may be fake, the backgrounds and motives of the delegates are very much not. While fabricated positions give delegates a bit of freedom for interpretation, use the information we have given you to the fullest extent in order to craft a believable and relevant position. Procedural note: Voting will be conducted based on simple majority. Note that this does not necessarily mean based on party lines. We have also not outlined the Head of Committee, so as to avoid pre-outlined power imbalances; every position is given equal voting and speaking power in committee.

CONGRESSPEOPLE:

REPUBLICANS:

David Marks (NC)

David Marks, from North Carolina, has been a representative for nearly 30 years. He served in the Vietnam War and is staunchly pro-veteran, a recurring hallmark of his campaigns. In general, he supports military personnel above other issues and will usually vouch for more military funding. Marks has kept pretty quiet about the crisis, and particularly Donald Trump’s involvement, but made a statement soon after the attack denouncing “all forms of violence on democracy.”

Brian Cushing (IN)

Brian Cushing, hailing from Indiana, is a staunch Trump supporter, though Indiana does not have much to show for it, nor does Cushing (some say Trump’s choice of Mike Pence as a running mate was a snub to Cushing). Nevertheless, he was quick to make a speech defending Donald Trump and calling the insurrection a “protest to protect democracy,” and related it to the Revolutionary War. When asked about Mike Pence’s role, including threats against his life, Cushing said that Pence “deserves whatever America believes he deserves.”

Christian Whitman (IL)

Christian Whitman, from Illinois, is a Republican economically but tends to vote with Democrats on social issues. After the attack, he spoke out in support of the victims; he did not make further remarks blaming anyone—or anything—for the attack. Whitman notably did not vote to impeach Trump for his alleged quid pro quo with Ukraine, siding with Republicans.

Cynthia Lawrence (NM)

Cynthia Lawrence, from New Mexico, has built her campaign on internet privacy laws. While her focus is mostly on children, and the collection and distribution of data pertaining to minors, she has also attempted to make privacy laws more stringent in the US, like they are in the European Union, for example. She has gone head-to-head with Mark Zuckerberg on numerous occasions, calling him out for targeted advertising and weak content moderation.

Moira Mueller (NH)

Mueller, from New Hampshire, began her political career as a District Attorney. A hallmark of her career during that time was the swift and harsh prosecution of corruption in government: her office uncovered multiple cases of nepotism in the mayor’s office, and helped prosecute a bribery scandal between a bloc of state senators and the NRA (National Rifle Association). However, her most-viewed State Representative ad depicted Mueller at a shooting range, discussing her “God-given Second Amendment Right,” and a philanthropic subsidiary of the NRA donated nearly three million dollars to her campaign.

DEMOCRATS:

Sally McLaughlin (HI)

Sally McLaughlin, from Hawaii, was passionate about politics since she was a little girl. She observed firsthand the injustices immigrant workers were faced with, and after a brief stint in immigration law, she was determined to run for congress. She has focused her political career on immigration rights, and is determined to actuate substantive change.

Ellie Kemp (NV)

Ellie Kemp of Nevada has long been focused on the environment. She was tired of the little sway she was able to have as a teenager growing up in Nevada fighting for climate rights by means of protest and school strikes. She decided to become involved in politics in an attempt to bring about actual change and curb the rampant indecency of large corporations regarding the environment. She has been disheartened to observe how little she has been able to do during her time holding her position, but looks forward to collaborating with other representatives and senators in order to come up with creative solutions for the many environmental crises.

Josh Messer (MA)

Josh Messer of Massachusetts has been focused on one sole issue during his time in politics: helping small businesses. He has been anti-large corporations for as long as he can remember, which largely has been motivated by the fact that his parents own a small mom-and-pop shop selling books and an additional random assortment of items. He used to occasionally help out in the store, until his political career took the front seat, but still remains sentimentally attached to the store. Because of this, he has focused his career around legislation supporting small businesses, and as a result has made many lasting and meaningful connections with various owners.

Savannah Katrelli (WA)

Savannah Katrelli of Washington is an ardent feminist. From her brief stint working for planned-parenthood as a gynecologist to her opening of a free clinic for STD testing, Katrelli’s background in medicine and social work makes her a knowledgeable and well-rounded politician.

Jordan Brown (LA)

Jordan Brown of Louisiana has focused her political career on mental health, specifically, the ways in which social media has preyed on teens around the world and caused their feelings of self-worth and confidence to rapidly deteriorate. She is wary of the role the internet can play in swaying the collective mindsets of individuals, and has worked tirelessly on legislation aiming to curb these effects, with little to no success. But she is a determined woman, and will not rest until she is able to make her dreams a reality.

MODERATES:

Belle Walters (Republican, WV)

Belle Walters, of West Virginia, is a huge proponent of the coal industry. However, her allegiance with Republicans ends there, for the most part; socially, she is quite progressive, and when the matter of coal is not involved she usually caucuses with Democrats. Walters has supported Trump due to his promises to revive and re-incentivize the coal industry, but has gone against most of his other policies, including his 2020 election fraud campaigns.

Reid McCullers (Independent, NY)

Reid McCullers of New York is a massive promoter of technology. Being directly involved with the CEO of Samsung, their success is her success. She is determined to start her own technology business, but is struggling to come up with original ideas.

Joyce Levy (Independent, CT)

Joyce Levy of Connecticut is a strong advocate of diversity. Coming from a wealthy family, Levy has donated millions of dollars into funds that focus on fighting racism, and she has also organized her own protests after major events. She has also put millions of dollars into climate control and other pressing issues. While her inherited wealth has given her a head start, Levy’s actions have made her very loved by the people.

Braden McNeil (Independent, OR)

Braden McNeil, of Oregon, joined politics with the sole purpose of implementing regulations on sugar levels in food. While competing as a pro tennis player years before, McNeil would consume whatever was available to him for energy. Trusting foods like energy bars which advertised themselves as healthy, he soon became extremely ill will severe type two diabetes, and his career then ended. He started studying nutrition, and realized the sugar levels in the food he was consuming prior were what caused his career to end. He joined politics with the hope for the FDA to implement more laws to create a stronger population.

Paul Elliot (Democrat, MI)

Paul Elliot, of Michigan, has always prioritized the economy. She is mainly focused on equity taxing, and speaks strongly for it, but also works hard to try to create more economical stability. Elliot’s political journey has only recently started, but his economic beliefs have made his popularity rise impressively fast.

OTHER ROLES:

These delegates must try to prove themselves innocent to the house members. (Crisis notes are one way to do this). These roles, unlike congresspeople roles, are real, so your research must primarily fuel your position.

Marc Short (Mike Pence’s Chief of Staff)

Marc Short took over the job of Pence’s Chief of Staff in 2019 and stayed on for the remainder of Pence’s term. He had previously worked under Trump as Director of Legislative Affairs; he left the post due to dissatisfaction with the progress Trump’s agenda had made. Short reportedly wanted to talk Donald Trump down from his election fraud claims, but faced pushback from Jared Kushner. After leaving the White House, Short was made Co-Chair of the Advancing American Freedom foundation, along with his former boss Vice President Mike Pence.

John McEntee (Aide to Donald Trump)

McEntee was originally hired by Donald Trump in 2016 as a coordinator for his 2016 presidential campaign; he stayed on for the presidency as an aide but was fired in 2018 for gambling debts, which barred him from accessing the necessary security clearance for the job. He was re-hired for Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign, where he held an immense amount of power. He championed the president’s election fraud claims, and attempted to get Mike Pence to speak in favor of Donald Trump via text messages with Marc Short.

Caroline Edwards (Capitol Police Officer)

Edwards was present during the attack and suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of it. She also helped to film Proud Boys, in particular, during their attack on the Capitol. She was the first officer to be injured by rioters. Edwards went before the Committee in real life and her testimony is public access, unlike some of the other positions listed here.

Mark Zuckerberg

Planning for much of the attack took place on Facebook—and as CEO, the investigation committee is looking into his involvement in the attack. Did he help perpetuate the plans to riot? And if Facebook should be held responsible, is he the person to blame? How can we even prosecute a media company? These are some questions both Zuckerberg and the Investigation Committee should look to answer.