He has a deadline fast approaching to stop the National Archives releasing records from Trump's White House. This could help him uncover his efforts to reverse the 2020 election results. Some of Trump's closest aides will have to comply with a subpoena from the committee for their records.
The expected fight from Trump will be the first real test for a panel that has worked diligently and methodically to collect records from federal agencies and to obtain voluntary testimony from friends.
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D.Calif.), one the seven panel members, stated that it would be foolish to claim that we aren't ready for all eventualities.
Thompson said, "Well do what the law allows us" when Thompson was asked how the panel would deal with Meadows and other participants who refused to cooperate. | Brendan Smialowski-Pool/Getty Images
One tripwire is coming Thursday when subpoenas will be issued to Mark Meadows, former White House Chief Of Staff, and longtime Trump aide Dan Scavino. Also, Trump-world figures Steve Bannon, Kash Patel, and former White House Chief Of Staff Mark Meadows will require them to provide documents to the panel. Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) Friday's statement by Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) stated that he is ready to refer criminal cases to anyone who violates deadlines.
None of the four have publicly indicated how they will respond. Patel, however, has made a criticism of the process and issued a statement. Multiple inquiries to Trump's representatives and members of his inner circle regarding how they plan to respond to the subpoena have been unsuccessful.
Committee members fear that witnesses will not cooperate. This is why subpoenas were issued to the witnesses without giving them the opportunity to provide any documents or testimony.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D.Md.) stated that the committee will pursue every possible end. These events involved literally thousands of people. We were so convinced that the truth would come out.
One reason they are confident is that witnesses have started coming forward to testify behind closed door in transcribed interviews. This was a technique used by the House Intelligence Committee in Trump's first impeachment. Nearly two years ago, Rep. Adam Schiff's impeachment panel broke Trumps logjam by securing a voluntary transcript interview with Kurt Volker, a veteran diplomat. This led to many interviews with Pentagon and State Department officials.
The Jan. 6 committee members are optimistic about a similar snowball effect, now that their first interviews have started.
The panel meets every day either in person or via Zoom. They insist that they are ready to take on any witnesses who challenge them in court.
Thompson said, "Well do what the law allows us" when Thompson was asked how the panel would handle Meadows' and other rejections of cooperation.
Trump must ask President Joe Biden to protect his records from the committee by midweek. However, the timing of the deadline has been kept secret. Trump claimed he would block the release of the records, which could lead to a complicated legal battle over executive privilege claims made by former presidents. The White House of Biden has stated that it will be open to the requests of the committees for documents, but did not make a blanket promise to release all Trump wants to withhold.
Thompson pointed out that the committee's investigation has been divided into five teams. This was confirmed by a source who is familiar with the structure. These include Trump's campaign to press Pence to reverse Bidens victory in the Electoral College and the mobilization by extremist groups such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, to descend upon Washington for the Jan.6 event.
As the public has been made aware of committee investigators' inquiries, other details have emerged. Investigators are now seeking information from Jan. 6 rioters, especially those who have pleaded guilty or are in the process of preparing for sentencing. In some cases, the panel relies on investigators who have recently left the Justice Department to act as committee counsel.
A figure of interest to the pro-Trump committee, Brandon Straka, is expected to plead guilty in federal district courthouse to misdemeanor offences related to his Jan. 6 actions. The panel asked the National Archives to search for records pertaining to Trump's administration that include Straka and other White House aides who were present at Jan. 6 events.
A request for comment was not received from Straka's attorney. Prosecutors claim Straka led a charge up Capitol Steps and encouraged others to use an officer shield. The evidence showed that Straka stopped at the Capitol's entrance and commented that tear gas was being used against the mob. It is not clear if he entered or left the building. Straka was identified on paperwork prepared by organizers for a pre-Jan.6 event. He was also included in a list that was provided by the Jan.6 committee to the National Archives.
Prosecutors continue to close cases relating to Jan. 6 at a rapid pace. About 100 of the 600+ defendants in the Capitol Riot had accepted or planned to enter into plea deals by Friday's end. In an attempt to get testimony on their motivations for attending Jan. 6, the committee has begun soliciting testimony from rioters who have already pleaded guilty.
Reporting was contributed by Josh Gerstein, Meridith McGraw and Meridith McGraw.
