[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The House Select Committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot that occurred earlier this year has issued a series of subpoenas to close associates of former President Donald Trump.
On the 23rd (local time), according to major foreign media, Democratic Chairman Benny Thompson announced in a statement that subpoenas were issued to four close aides of former President Trump: Mark Meadows, former White House Chief of Staff; Steve Bannon, former White House Chief Strategist; Dan Scavino, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff; and Kashy Patel, a former Department of Defense official, demanding their testimony and submission of documents to Congress.
Chairman Thompson stated that the committee is investigating the facts, circumstances, and causes of the attack on Congress and demanded their cooperation in the investigation.
Former Chief of Staff Meadows is suspected of communicating with state and federal officials to overturn the results of last year's U.S. presidential election or to block the certification of President Joe Biden's victory.
Additionally, allegations have been raised that he communicated with the rally organizers prior to the riot that occurred on the day of the congressional session to certify Biden's victory.
Steve Bannon, former Chief Strategist, was identified as being involved in conversations persuading lawmakers to block the certification of Trump's election defeat.
Former Deputy Chief of Staff Scavino became a subpoena target as a witness to Trump's activities on the day of the riot and is believed to possess materials related to Trump's video recordings and Twitter messages.
Kashy Patel, who served as Chief of Staff to Christopher Miller, acting Secretary of Defense who replaced Mark Esper shortly after the election, reportedly had multiple phone calls with former Chief of Staff Meadows on the day of the Capitol riot.
The House has demanded that Bannon and Patel appear and testify on the 14th of next month, and Meadows and Scavino on the 15th. They have been ordered to submit documents by the 7th of next month.
Former President Trump expressed his refusal to cooperate regarding the subpoenas issued to his aides, stating in a statement, "We will fight the subpoenas on the grounds of executive privilege and other bases."
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