The House Select Committee formed to investigate the background of the January 6th attack on Congress has already referred one witness to the Department of Justice to be held in criminal contempt for defying a subpoena to appear before a Congressional panel and testify. When the committee indicated an intent to move on a second subject, Mark Meadows, that witness was soon announced to be cooperating with Congress. Now the committee is prepared to refer another witness to the DOJ, but there’s a twist: this time it’s a former DOJ official. This round also comes with a message: if Donald Trump and allies have an intent to “run out the clock” by delaying and dodging until they’re able to flip the House and put an end to the investigation, they’re out of luck.
[Photo by Pete Marovich – Pool/Getty Images]
First, Steve Bannon, advisor and ally to Trump, was hit with a criminal referral, and indicted. Mark Meadows, Trump’s former Chief of Staff, was next on the list, but is reportedly now complying with the subpoena and turning over documents to Congress as requested. Now it’s Jeffrey B. Clark who could be the second in the Trump camp to face criminal contempt charges for defying an order to appear.
BREAKING: The Select Committee has unanimously voted to adopt the report recommending Jeffrey B. Clark for criminal contempt. pic.twitter.com/t5Lahr8eK9
However, this one could be a trickier decision for the Department of Justice, which took weeks to indict Bannon after the House Committee referred him — unlike Bannon, Clark is a former DOJ official. He’s served in a few capacities, with Trump ultimately trying to install him as Acting Attorney General after suffering a loss in the 2020 election, in an apparent bid to empower someone who would support his false claims of election fraud.
Whaetever the DPJ decides, though, Representative Stephanie Murphy promises that the House Select Committee doesn’t plan to stand idly by while potential witnesses “run down the clock” to help any insiders who may have been involved in the attack escape justice.
No one is above the law. No one can run out the clock.
Speaking on the criminal referral, for which Clark is being given a brief grace period to comply, Murphy declared, “Our Select Committee will find out the truth.”
Steph Bazzle reports on social issues and religion for Hill Reporter. She focuses on stories that speak to everyone's right to practice what they believe in and receive the support of their communities and government officials. You can reach her at Steph@HillReporter.com
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