Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House January 6 committee, announces COVID diagnosis ahead of Thursday's hearing

• The chairman of the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 insurrection, announced he has COVID-19.
• Rep. Bennie Thompson said in a statement that he is isolating and experiencing "mild symptoms.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol, announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the committee's primetime hearing on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the committee said the Mississippi Democrat "has instructed the Select Committee to proceed with Thursday evening's hearing."

Thompson, in a Tuesday statement, said he tested positive on Monday and he is experiencing "mild symptoms."

"Gratefully, I am fully vaccinated and boosted," he said. "I am continuing to follow CDC guidelines and will be isolating for the next several days."

Thursday's hearing at 8 p.m. will focuson how the insurrection unfolded at the White House as former President Donald Trump refused to act to help stop the violence as rioters attacked the Capitol.

Ex-deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger and former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews will testify at the hearing.