Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Clarification of the Capitol Storm
Trump’s ex-chief of staff is said to be in the dock
As the closest Trump employee, Mark Meadows is a key figure in clearing up the background to the Capitol Storm. But because he refuses to cooperate with the investigative committee, he could soon face a judge’s verdict.
The January 6th attack on the US Capitol Building Committee voted on Monday evening (local time) to bring charges against former President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows. “He left us no choice,” said committee chairman Bennie Thompson. MPs accuse Meadows of “disregarding Congress” for refusing to testify before the committee. The next step is for the House of Representatives to vote. There the Democrats of US President Joe Biden have a slim majority. If the majority should join the committee, the case will go to the Justice Department, which could indict Meadows.
Meadows is in a “unique position to provide vital information about the events of January 6, 2021,” the report said. The 62-year-old is an important witness and stayed in the White House during the storming of the Capitol. He had initially resisted a summons to testify before the committee, then agreed to appear in person – before changing his decision again. Former MP Meadows argues that the ex-president is allowed to withhold certain information and therefore cannot testify. The Democrats, on the other hand, believe that this privilege exists only for incumbent presidents, not for former presidents.
Radical Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6th, when the victory of the Democrat Biden in the presidential election on November 3rd was to be certified there. The attack, which made headlines around the world, killed five people. Trump had to face impeachment proceedings because of the attack because he had previously incited his supporters in a speech. In the end, however, he was acquitted. The investigative committee set up by the House of Representatives is supposed to clarify the exact background of the attack.
Meadows could face jail
The panel has summoned a number of former Trump employees – including Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon. He had also refused to testify before the committee. The House of Representatives then initiated legal action against him. Bannon is expected to be tried in July.
In the Meadows case, the House of Representatives is now expected to vote on an indictment on Tuesday. If convicted, the 62-year-old faces up to twelve months in prison, but a fine is more likely. Meadows has filed a lawsuit against the Investigative Committee himself for questioning the legality of his subpoena.