Washington (AP) — Former President donald trump suing the House committee investigating Attacks on the US Capitol on January 6 avoid cooperating with subpoena requiring him to testify.
The lawsuit, which was filed Friday night, said the former president had voluntarily agreed to provide testimony or documents in response to congressional subpoenas in the past, but that “the president or former president was compelled to do so.” Never,” he claims.
In a statement announcing Trump’s intentions, Trump’s attorney David A. Warrington “argued that the separation of powers prohibits Congress from compelling the president to testify. said.
Warrington said Trump engaged the committee “in a good-faith effort to resolve these concerns consistent with the executive branch’s privilege and separation of powers,” but that the committee “did not follow a political path.” “President Trump has no choice but to get involved.” ”
The committee declined to comment on a petition Trump filed days before the deadline set by the committee to begin cooperation. Given what is being said, the lawsuit is likely doomed to the likelihood that Trump will have to testify.
It is also days before Trump is expected to officially launch his third presidential campaign at his club, Mar Lago.
The committee voted to serve a subpoena to Trump at the final televised hearing before the midterm elections, I officially did so last monthwill require former presidents to testify in the Capitol or by videoconference by mid-November, and continue for several days if necessary.
The letter also outlined extensive requests for documents, including personal communications between Trump and members of Congress and extremist groups. has extended the deadline until this week.
In his lawsuit, Trump’s attorneys attacked the subpoena as overly broad and framed it as a violation of his First Amendment rights. They also argue that sources other than Trump can provide the same information the committee is seeking from him.
A committee of seven Democrats and two Republicans released a statement last week saying it was in contact with Trump’s lawyers.
The committee’s decision to submit a subpoena to Trump in late October was a significant escalation in that investigation, with lawmakers citing the former president as a “central figure” in a multi-pronged effort to reverse the 2020 results. said it was necessary because the election.
“I think he has a legal obligation to testify, but that doesn’t always matter to Donald Trump,” said Rep. Liz Cheney, the commission’s vice chairman, R-Wyo. said at last week’s event.
In addition to requiring Trump to testify, the committee also requested 19 documents and communications — including those that Trump had sent to Congressmen and others in encrypted messaging app signals or “other means.” Includes all the messages you sent about the surprising event January 6, 2021, the Capitol attack.
The commission’s request was broad in scope, seeking documents from September 1, 2020, two months before the election, to the present day regarding the president’s communications with groups such as the Oathkeepers and Proud Boys. Chronicles of the preparations for the attack on the Capitol, the event itself, and what followed.
Trump’s lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Florida, to secure a special master tasked with conducting an independent investigation of records seized by the FBI during the Aug. 8 Mar-a-Lago search. Other Trump lawyers have sued successfully.