The January 6 Capitol riot committee has announced a surprise hearing due to new evidence — here's what we know

Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson says earlier hearings led to "an influx of new information". (AP: Susan Walsh)

The committee investigating the January 6 riot at the US Capitol building has announced its sixth hearing will take place this week, which is sooner than first expected.

Five hearings have already been held into last year's deadly attack when former president Donald Trump's supporters stormed Congress while it was formalising Joe Biden's election victory.