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In a significant expansion of their extensive investigation into the 2021 assault on the US Capitol, lawmakers summoned former president Donald Trump on Friday to testify about his role in the violence. The summons was issued following the unanimous decision last week by the House panel, which included two Republicans and seven Democrats, to require Trump to testify before investigators.
The 76-year-old Republican must turn in papers by November 4 and show up for a deposition starting on or around November 14 — the Monday after the significant November 8 midterm elections.
Trump was impeached for encouraging the crowd to attack Congress later that day to obstruct the peaceful transition of power to Joe Biden in a furious speech he delivered outside the White House on January 6, 2021. Trump had earlier encouraged his followers to “fight like hell.”
In spite of knowing that allegations of election fraud had been soundly rejected by more than 60 judges and debunked by his campaign team and top advisers, the letter accuses Trump of trying to annul the results.
David Warrington, Trump’s attorney, said his staff will “study and evaluate” the document and “react as appropriate to this extraordinary move” without acknowledging that Trump had received the subpoena.
The White House opted not to respond to specific questions about the situation but did make the general remark that it is “essential to understand January 6.”
– An increase in aggression
The only person to be found guilty of contempt of Congress for disobeying a subpoena from the panel was former White House advisor Steve Bannon.
Bannon was given a four-month jail term on Friday, although he is still out on bail while his case is being appealed.
Trump is infamous for his ability to delay congressional investigations and legal proceedings, thus it is very improbable that he would consent to testify.
In any event, the subpoena expires in January with the start of the next legislative session. In the event that they regain control of the House of Representatives in November’s elections, Republicans want to halt the inquiry promptly.
However, the action is an aggressive escalation of the investigation, which has so far seen more than 100 subpoenas and more than 1,000 persons examined since its inception in 2021.
