Subpoena against Trump withdrawn by House as Republicans take over
It's not all good news for Trump, though, since the committee still suggested that the Justice Department go through criminal charges against him.
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January 6 panel (AP)
In a letter published and written by Chairman Bennie Thompson, it has been confirmed that the US January 6 House committee has withdrawn the subpoena issued of former President Donald Trump, as a result of the panel's fate to be dissolved now that the Republicans are due to take over next month.
The letter, directed to Trump’s attorney on Wednesday, stated, "In light of the imminent end of our investigation, the Select Committee can no longer pursue the specific information covered by the subpoena... Therefore, through this letter, I hereby formally withdraw the subpoena issued to former President Trump, and notify you that he is no longer obligated to comply or produce records in response to said subpoena."
Trump had previously sued in an attempt to block the subpoena intended to obtain documents and testimony pertaining to January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. However, following the withdrawal, Trump took to social media to claim that the decision came through because the committee "knew I did nothing wrong, or they were about to lose in Court."
Was just advised that the Unselect Committee of political Thugs has withdrawn the Subpoena of me concerning the January 6th Protest of the CROOKED 2020 Presidential Election. They probably did so because they knew I did nothing wrong, or they were about to lose in Court. Perhaps
— Truth Social Trump (@TrumpTruthPost) December 29, 2022
Read next: Trump's taxes to be released by House committee after 3-year tug
When the subpoena first came out, Trump claimed he has "absolute immunity" and does not plan to testify in court. Labeling it as "invalid, unlawful and unenforceable," Trump's legal team claimed that their client still has executive privilege even after having left the White House 22 months later.
It's not all good news for Trump, though, since the committee still suggested that the Justice Department go through criminal charges against the former President. The House committee was scheduled to vote on whether to press criminal charges against Trump for acts like insurrection, conspiring to defraud the US government, and obstructing an official proceeding.
There is "sufficient evidence to charge the [former] president with criminal offenses in connection with his efforts to overturn the election,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a member of the House January 6 panel, reported to American media on December 19.
So far, the committee has issued over 100 subpoenas and has interviewed over 1,000 people since 2021. It is worth noting that no sitting president has testified against Congress before.
