Former President Donald Trump has been summoned by the House committee looking into the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6. This decision was made in unanimity on Thursday.
Members of the panel had previously stated that they were still debating whether to request an interview with either Trump or former Vice President Mike Pence. On Thursday, the panel held what was anticipated to be its final hearing before the midterm elections.
The panel’s chair, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said the committee had an “obligation” to hear from Trump.
All members voted in favor of the subpoena for Trump, and it was approved 9-0
“This is a question about accountability to the American people. He must be accountable. He is required to answer for his actions. He’s required to answer to those police officers who put their lives and bodies on the line to defend our democracy. He’s required to answer to those millions of Americans whose votes he wanted to throw out as part of his scheme to remain in power,” Thompson said, acknowledging the move as a “serious and extraordinary action.”
All members voted in favor of the subpoena for Trump, and it was approved 9-0.
Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the panel’s vice chair, proposed the resolution and referred to Trump as the “central player” of the riot.
According to a source familiar with the committee’s plans, it will issue the subpoena soon.
The subpoena will expire at the end of this congressional term, and Trump is likely to challenge it. The panel is operating under a tight deadline.
On his social media platform Truth Social, the former president made fun of the committee, but he made no mention of how he would react to the subpoena.
“Why didn’t the Unselect Committee ask me to testify months ago? Why did they wait until the very end, the final moments of their last meeting? Because the Committee is a total ‘BUST’ that has only served to further divide our Country,” the post said.
Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich said, “Trump-endorsed candidates will sweep the Midterms” next month “and America First leadership & solutions will be restored.”