Sean Hannity, the host of Fox News, has been asked to respond to questions about his communications with Donald Trump and his staff in the days after the Capitol attack.
The host has not received a formal subpoena, despite the committee asking for voluntary cooperation. The text messages between Mr. Hannity and senior officials in the White House were detailed in the letter.
The president's chief of staff and a key ally received a letter from Mr. Hannity. He can not mention the election again. In the message, Mr. Hannity referred to Mr. Trump. I didn't have a good conversation with him today. I don't like not knowing if it's understood, and I'm not sure what to do or say. What are the ideas?
Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for Mr. Hannity, said on Tuesday that the committee's request would raise serious constitutional issues including First Amendment concerns regarding freedom of the press. Inquiries were referred to Mr. Sekulow.
The committee wrote to Mr. Hannity that he was a fact witness in the investigation. The committee obtained a number of text messages between Mr. Hannity and members of Mr. Trump's inner circle.
Mr. Hannity was worried about the next 48 hours.
Mr. Hannity was one of the Fox News stars who befriended the president over the course of his administration.
He was more than a Fox host, according to Representative Adam B. Schiff, a California Democrat and member of the committee.
The committee revealed last month that Mr. Hannity had contacted Mr.Meadows as the Capitol was being attacked by rioters. People should leave the Capitol. Laura Ingraham and Brian Kilmeade both sent notes to Mr. Trump asking him to take steps to quell the violence. In Fox News prime time on January 6, Mr. Hannity told his viewers that all of today's perpetrators must be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
A spokesman for the committee wouldn't say if more Fox News hosts would be asked to answer questions. The committee contacted Mr. Hannity about testifying. Alex Jones has sued the committee to try to block the investigation, after the committee issued a subpoena for him.
The letter was signed by the chairman of the committee, Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi, and the vice chairwoman, Representative Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming.
Mr. Thompson and Ms. Cheney wrote that they were sure that you loved our country and respected our Constitution. It is time to serve the interests of your country.
