With never-before-seen video, new audio, and a plethora of evidence, the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol will attempt to tell the "harrowing story" of the deadly violence that erupted that day, as well as the chilling backstory of Donald Trump's attempt to overturn Joe Biden's election victory.

Last night's prime-time hearing was scheduled to begin with eyewitness testimony from the first police officer assaulted in the mob riot and a documentary filmmaker following the extremist Proud Boys, who prepared to fight for Mr. Trump immediately after the election and led the Capitol assault.

It also included the committee's interviews with Mr. Trump's advisors and family members, conducted behind closed doors, on the fatal siege that, according to Democrats and others, endangered US democracy.

Democrat Elaine Luria, a member of the January 6 committee, stated in an interview, "The hair on the back of your neck should stand on end when you hear and comprehend the vast conspiracy and the effort to corrupt every lever and agency of government involved in this."

"Bringing it all together in a single location and a coherent narrative, I believe, will help the American people better comprehend what transpired on January 6 – and the potential threats that this could pose in the future."

The panel's one-year probe will begin to reveal how the American custom of a peaceful transfer of presidential power came dangerously near disappearing. It will recreate how Mr. Trump refused to acknowledge the 2020 presidential election, propagated false voter fraud charges, and coordinated an extraordinary public and private campaign to reverse Mr. Biden's victory.

In a politically polarized America, it is possible that the outcome of the upcoming weeks of public hearings may not sway public opinion. However, the inquiry, including 1,000 interviews, will serve as a historical record.

The purpose of the final report is to present an account of the most violent attack on the Capitol since the British set it on fire in 1814 and ensure that it never occurred again.

Mr. Trump dismisses the inquiry as illegitimate and claimed yesterday on social media that the January 6 violence "represented the greatest movement in our nation's history."

As the mass of pro-Trump rioters, some of whom were armed with pipes, bats, and bear spray, approached the Capitol, more than a hundred police officers were hurt, with many beaten and bleeding. At least nine people died during and after the riots, including a lady who was shot by police.

Capitol emotions are still fresh, and security will be tight during the hearings. Law enforcement officials report an increase in the number of violent threats against Congress members.

In this context, the committee will address a divided America before the midterm elections in the fall, when voters will decide which party controls Congress.

Most television networks will broadcast live proceedings; however, Fox News Channel will not.

Democratic civil rights leader and committee chairman Bennie Thompson and Republican vice-chair Liz Cheney, daughter of former president Dick Cheney, were scheduled to deliver introductory remarks.

The two congressional leaders were expected to outline what the committee had learned about the events leading up to the day in January when Mr. Trump sent his supporters to Congress to "fight like hell" for his presidency, as politicians performed the typically routine task of certifying the results from the previous November.

Democrat Jamie Raskin, a committee member, said in an interview, "People will have to follow two intersecting streams of events – one will be the attempt to overturn the presidential election, which is a terrifying story in and of itself."

"The second will be the chain of events leading up to a violent mob attack on the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the peaceful balance of power," he stated.