Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is eager to appear before the congressional committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 last year, she told the Daily Caller news website on Thursday.
Ms Thomas was responding to comments by the committee's chairman, Democrat Bennie Thompson, that suggested the panel would seek her testimony.
"I can't wait to clear up misconceptions. I look forward to talking to them," Ms Thomas told the Daily Caller.
The Washington Post reported earlier this week that the committee had obtained emails between Thomas and attorney John Eastman, who was involved in efforts to block the certification of President Joe Biden's defeat of Donald Trump in the November 2020 election.
"It's time for us to invite her to come talk," Mr Thompson told reporters at the Capitol on Thursday.
Mr Eastman said in a statement posted to Substack that the emails obtained by the Post amounted to "false innuendo based on selective leaks" and were irrelevant to the committee hearings.
"I can categorically confirm that at no time did I discuss with Mrs Thomas or Justice Thomas any matters pending or likely to come before the Court," Mr Eastman said. "We have never engaged in such discussions, would not engage in such discussions, and did not do so in December 2020 or anytime else."
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A noose and makeshift gallows was erected on the National Mall near the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, as rioters chanted, 'Hang Mike Pence'. Bloomberg -
The rioters yelled 'hang Mike Pence' during the attack. AFP -
Chairman Bennie Thompson swears in J Michael Luttig, former US federal judge and adviser to former vice president Mike Pence, and Greg Jacob, former counsel to Mr Pence, during the third public hearing of the US House committee on January 6. Reuters -
Mr Luttig is sworn in before giving evidence during the third hearing. AFP -
Mr Jacob and Mr Luttig focused their evidence on former president Donald Trump's efforts to pressure Mr Pence into using his role to block congressional certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory. Bloomberg -
Mr Luttig gives evidence during the hearing. AFP -
Mr Luttig and Mr Jacob said that Mr Pence knew that he did not have the authority to re-elect Mr Trump. Reuters -
Mr Jacob said that the framers of the US Constitution made sure that no one person could choose the American president. Reuters -
Committee Vice Chairwoman Liz Cheney questions the witnesses. Reuters -
Images of the attack on the US Capitol were projected as the committee began its third day of hearings. AFP -
Many of those arrested for their participation in the attack on the Capitol said in court that they were there at the behest of Mr Trump. AFP -
Mr Thompson and Ms Cheney lead the hearing. Reuters -
Mr Trump told his supporters on January 6 that they needed to send a message to Mr Pence. AFP -
Former US president Donald Trump made round-the-clock from the White House 'looking for votes' and trying to convince his vice president to not confirm Joe Biden as winner of the 2020 election. AFP -
US Representative Pete Aguilar delivers remarks. Getty Images / AFP -
US Representative Adam Kinzinger listens during the third hearing. Getty Images / AFP -
US Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) listens during the third hearing. Getty Images / AFP -
The committee heard that former US vice president Mike Pence that rioters were dangerously close on January 6. EPA -
A monitor shows video footage of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, during Thursday's public hearing. EPA
Ms Thomas's comments were reported as the committee was holding a public hearing on the events of January 6 last year, at the Capitol. Mr Thompson said he first learned of her interest in participating in the investigation from a reporter as he left the hearing room.
"We look forward to her coming," Mr Thompson said, adding that the committee had sent Ms Thomas a letter.
Ms Thomas is active in conservative political circles and said she attended a rally Mr Trump held before the Capitol riot. At the rally, Mr Trump made a fiery speech repeating his unfounded allegations that his election defeat was due to widespread fraud and urged his supporters to march on Congress.
Her political involvement has raised questions about whether her husband should recuse himself from cases involving Mr Trump and the Capitol riot.
In January, her husband was the lone dissenting voice when the Supreme Court rejected Mr Trump's request to block the release of White House records sought by the January 6 committee.
