The House Committee investigating the Capitol Hill riot that occurred on January 6, 2021, issued a subpoena to former President Donald J. Trump to testify before the panel.
The chair of the panel, Mississippi Democrat Bennie Thompson, said that he has to account for his own doings.
If the former president does not testify to the committee, he is likely to face criminal charges and prison time.
The committee is investigating the Capitol Hill riot caused by Trump supporters after he raised allegations that the 2020 presidential elections were stolen and he was re-elected for a second time.
The subpoena was issued with a unanimous vote of 9-0 by the panel consisting of 2 members from the Republican party and 7 members from the Democratic party. The subpoena requires Mr. Trump to testify under oath and to provide supporting documents, and it also has a deadline for him.
The Vice-Chair, Rep. Liz Chaney, a Wyoming Republican, said that we should get answers from the person who set it all in motion and that every American is entitled to hear what he has to say.
Thursday’s committee hearing was supposed to be the ninth and last public hearing due to the upcoming midterm elections, where the Congress may be subject to change.
The former president is highly likely to fight against the subpoena and not to testify, and he said on his own social media site, ‘TruthSocial’, that this is just a play to distract the American voters from the “disastrous” Democratic rule. He also questioned why the committee waited until the very end to call him to testify, calling the entire ordeal a “BUST” that will further divide America.
Videos of Capitol Hill riots that were never seen by the public were also played at Thursday’s hearings, which showed Nancy Pelosi expressing shock to her colleagues when asked to put on a gas-mask; Chuck Schumer speaking loudly on his cellphone, Republican Senators calling for help from the Attorney General; and Vice President Mike Pence interacting with the Capitol Police.
Evidence also emerged that Trump knew the truth about his re-election loss and encouraged others to fabricate a conspiracy that the election was stolen in order to keep his position as President.
This new evidence came into the light after many of the former President’s advisors, aides, and his own children testified before the committee and also provided them with crucial evidence like video footage of the events that occurred during the day votes were counted.
The House Committee is to publish its findings by December and, if proven guilty, it could gravely tarnish Trump’s plan to run again for President in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Elections. 850 people were found guilty of causing havoc on Capitol Hill and have been punished accordingly.
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