As of: 12/15/2021 8:04 a.m.
It was almost a year since the attack on the Capitol – now the US Parliament has voted in favor of Mark Meadows. Trump’s ex-chief of staff had refused to testify in a committee on the case.
The way for criminal proceedings against Mark Meadows is now clear: the House of Representatives has voted in favor of indicting former US President Donald Trump’s ex-chief of staff. It is about an alleged disregard for Congress. Meadows had refused to testify in the committee to deal with the attack on the US Capitol. The case against Meadows is now being turned over to the Justice Department, which could bring charges against him.
Meadows is considered an important witness
The committee of inquiry to come to terms with the violent storming of the US Capitol by supporters of Trump had recommended the plenary session of the House of Representatives on Monday to take action against Meadows. The 62-year-old is considered an important witness. He was in the White House with the President during the storm. Meadows gave the committee thousands of pages of documents, including many emails and text messages. However, he refused to answer a subpoena and testify before the MPs.
Chief strategist Bannon has to go to court
Meadows argues that confidential information is also involved. As a former top employee of the president, he could not be forced to testify. With a similar reason, Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon had opposed cooperation with the committee. He was then accused of disregarding Congress by the House of Representatives. Bannon was subsequently charged and has to stand trial.
District government complains against right-wing groups
The US administrative district of Washington DC has meanwhile filed another lawsuit against two right-wing militias, the groups “Proud Boys” and “Oath Keeper”. Individual members are already being investigated under criminal law. “They have done great harm to the district, our democracy and especially the brave men and women of our (police),” said Attorney General Karl A. Racine. He accuses the groups of planning and participating in the Capitol attack and demands compensation. Racine said the lawsuit is the first attempt by a government agency to hold any organization or person civilly responsible for the January 6 violence.
Supporters of then President Donald Trump stormed the seat of the US Congress in Washington on January 6th. Five people were killed in the attack, including a police officer. The attack is considered an attack on US democracy. It shook the country, and many MPs and senators feared for their lives. Trump had previously incited his supporters in a speech. After the storm he had to face impeachment proceedings. In the end, however, he was acquitted.