Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is slamming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for putting on the Democrats’ latest political theater performance known as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol. The lawmaker had some criticism for former President Donald Trump over his supposed role in motivating the riot that occurred that day, too, but she lashed out at Pelosi for engaging in a politically motivated campaign against Republicans.

During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” Collins was asked whether Trump allies should have to testify before the committee about his inciting the riot at the Capitol. Collins responded, noting that “there were many communications with President Trump that day,” and that “while the rioters are primarily responsible for what happened, there’s no doubt in my mind that President Trump helped instigate and motivate the rioters.”

The lawmaker also lamented the fact that the original committee to further exploit investigate the riot was voted down by Senate Republicans. She stated that “it would have had far more credibility than Speaker Pelosi’s partisan committee that she has set up.”

“I think it would have had far more credibility than Speaker Pelosi’s partisan committee that she has set up. We should have had a 9/11 style commission to fully look at what happened.”

Collins also criticized Pelosi’s decision to remove Reps. Jim Banks (R-IL) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) and instead appoint anti-Trump Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).  Referring to the anti-Trump lawmakers, Collins stated that she respects them, but does not “think it was right for the speaker to decide which Republicans should be on the committee.”

Sen. Collins was one of six Republican senators who voted to impeach Trump after he was already out of office, which is why her words ring hollow on this matter. She also supported the initial bipartisan commission, which was clearly intended to use the Capitol riot as a political cudgel.

The senator’s criticism of the Democrats’ sham of a select committee makes it is abundantly obvious that these proceedings are designed only to smear Trump, his supporters, and the GOP. The notion that they would uncover important information that the nation doesn’t already know is asinine, which further indicates that this has little to do with discovering the truth.

Still, Collins helped to add to the sentiment that led to these partisan hearings. By falsely claiming that the riot was Trump’s fault, she was one of several Republicans who gave the Democrats ammo. She helped the Democrats and activist media perpetuate the false narrative about the assault on the Capitol and Trump’s responsibility in the matter. Collins may not approve of Pelosi’s politicking, but this does not mean she is an ally to conservatives.