The investigative committee into the attack on the US Capitol in January 2021 summoned ex-President Donald Trump on Thursday. It’s a rare escalation of investigations. Previously, the congressional committee tried to hold Trump more responsible for the attack with new evidence. “We have an obligation to seek answers directly from the man who set this all in motion,” Republican Rep. Liz Cheney said.
If Trump doesn’t obey the subpoena, the House of Representatives could report him to the Justice Department for contempt of Congress. Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon, for example, has already been convicted for this.
However, time is running out. A new House of Representatives will be elected on November 8th. The committee must have completed its work by the end of the year – before the newly elected House of Representatives begins its work in January. And according to polls and analysis, there’s a good chance the largely pro-Trump Republican Party will win the election. Then further investigations into the attack should be off the table anyway.
Trump can refuse to testify
Trump can initially also send his lawyers to court against the subpoena. And even if Trump should follow the request, he can refuse to testify, for example so as not to incriminate himself. Several of his confidants had exercised this right when questioned by the committee.
The attack on the Capitol came right after Trump’s appearance behind the White House, during which the then US President once again stirred up the crowd of his supporters with false claims that his election victory against challenger Joe Biden had been stolen from him.
Now, documents presented at a public meeting of the committee show that the Secret Service, entrusted with Trump’s security, was alerted to attack plans among supporters as early as late December. Internal news provided to the committee also shows that the Secret Service’s surveillance also found that many of the Trump supporters present were armed at the appearance. Still, the White House and Trump made no attempt to stop the performance or the march on the Capitol.
unapologetic behavior
“He sent them to the Capitol knowing they were angry, knowing they were armed,” Cheney said. One must ensure that not only the “foot soldiers” who stormed the Houses of Parliament in Washington would be punished. “Any attempt to excuse or justify the ex-president’s behavior undermines the very foundations of our republic.”
Trump’s supporters stormed the seat of parliament on January 6, 2021. Congress met there to formally confirm Biden’s victory in the presidential election. Five people died as a result of the riots.
In the past few months, the committee had already unearthed some astounding details. Numerous witnesses weighed heavily on Trump. Now, for the first time, footage has been shown of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi trying to organize protection by the National Guard or Defense Department units during the attack by telephone. Meanwhile, members of the committee emphasized that Trump had not done anything for hours – even against requests from confidants – to stop his supporters. He was informed about the events.
