Topline
The House Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol was not able to summon Mark Meadows, the former White House Chief of Staff, to testify. Meadows could be the latest Trump administration official to face contempt of Congress charges.
After a... [+] interview at the White House on October 25, 2020, Mark Meadows gestures to walk back to the West Wing. (Photo by OLIVIER Douliery/AFP via Getty Images). AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) In a letter, Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) warned Meadows' lawyer that failure to comply with the committee's requests and the deposition could lead to the committee invoking contempt for Congress procedures. Meadows is one of many prominent former Trump officials who have been served subpoenas requiring them to give information to the committee about the January 6 rioting. The House of Representatives voted to hold Steve Bannon, former White House Chief Strategist, in contempt for not complying with his subpoena. Thompson, however, told Politico that contempt was "on the table for Jeffrey Clark, former Justice Department official who also ignored his subpoena.
Important Quote
"Mr. Thompson wrote that Meadows had not provided a single document as a response to the Select Committee’s subpoena. "In simple words, there is no legal basis for Mr. Meadows continuing resistance to the Select Committee subpoena."
What to Watch
Meadows must be held in contempt if the January 6 select Committee votes for the charges. Then, the House will vote. If the House votes for charges, the Justice Department will be notified of the House's recommendation. The Justice Department has the final say on whether charges are filed. In the case of Bannon, although the House voted in favor of charges, the Justice Department has not issued any indictments.
Important Background
The committee issued subpoenas to many prominent Trump officials, including Kayleigh McEnany, press secretary, and Stephen Miller, senior adviser, earlier this week. Thompson stated that the committee is trying to discover "every detail" of what happened at the White House on January 6. According to The New York Times, more than 150 witnesses have given evidence before the committee investigators. CNN reports that at least five of them were former Trump White House staffers who volunteered to testify. Trump called the members of the committee "politically ambitious hackers" and stated that his supporters storming Congress was a "PROTEST."
Continue reading
Jan. 6 panel will seek criminal charges against Meadows after Meadows resists subpoenas (Axios).
Kayleigh McEnany and Stephen Miller among Trump Officials Subpoenaed by House Jan. 6 Committee. (Forbes).
House Holds Bannon in Contempt for Refusing Jan.6 Subpoena -- Possible Criminal Charges (Forbes).
Trump DOJ official, who helped effort to reverse election declines to answer Jan.6 questions (Politico).
