US House Select Committee summons 4 Trump associates over 'Jan 6 Capitol riot' including Giuliani

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot, a stain on American democracy, issued new subpoenas on the 18th (local time) to close associates of former President Donald Trump, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, CNN and other outlets reported.

According to reports, the subpoena targets four individuals: former Mayor Giuliani, attorney Sidney Powell who led lawsuits alleging election fraud with a pro-Trump stance, Boris Epshteyn and Jenna Ellis, both members of Trump's legal team. The committee has demanded that they submit related records and appear to testify on February 2.

This move draws attention amid increasing political pressure to indict former President Donald Trump and his aides. On January 6 last year, supporters of former President Trump, rejecting the results of the 2020 election, stormed the Capitol, attacked police officers, and caused chaos. Trump is accused of inciting the riot by urging "fight like hell" in his speech.

Local media introduced these four as lawyers who had vocally supported claims of election fraud for several months following last year's U.S. presidential election. Committee Chairman Congressman Bennie Thompson stated in a press release, "The four we subpoenaed each made unsupported claims about election fraud and tried to overturn the election results, and had direct contact with the former president regarding attempts to halt vote counting," explaining the background of the subpoenas.