GOP lawmaker kicked off Jan. 6 panel is now overseeing a shadow investigation

One of the two Republican lawmakers that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) removed from the Jan. 6 committee back in July has moved on to chart a new path with a shadow investigation of his own.

According to The Daily Beast, two sources familiar with the situation have said the that Rep. Jim Banks' (R-Ind.) investigative path has been similar to the one the select committee took. Per the publication, "Banks sent letters to many of the same federal agencies that the select committee's chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), has contacted for information regarding the U.S. Capitol attack."

Those agencies reportedly include the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, news outlets, social media platforms, and more.

Inside sources also shared details about Banks' letter, which were first reported by CNN. In "at least one of those letters," Banks is said to have identified himself as a "ranking member" of a committee he did not actually serve on.

"You are receiving this letter because the House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the events of January 6th may have sent you a request for information," Banks wrote in the letter. "The House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy appointed me to serve as the Ranking Member of the Select Committee. Yet, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to allow me to fulfill my duties as Ranking Member."

Although he was blocked from serving on the Jan. 6 panel after supporting former President Donald Trump's election lies, the Republican lawmaker claims he has a right to gain access to the information he is seeking.

"For those reasons, I ask that you provide me any information that is submitted to the Select Committee. Additionally, please include me on any update or briefing that you provide," Banks said.

Banks is now facing backlash for his efforts and being criticized for attempting attempting take matters in to his own hands. In fact Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) has even called out the lawmaker for falsely classifying himself as a ranking member of Congress.

Despite Banks claims, Reps. Chene and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) are the only two Republican lawmakers who received official appointments from Pelosi.