Jan. 6 Committee Votes to Subpoena Trump

The House Jan. 6 Committee on Oct. 13 voted to subpoena former President Donald Trump over his role in the events of Jan. 6.

The resolution, submitted by Ranking Member Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), was passed by the committee unanimously in a 9–0 vote.

“Our duty today is to our country, our duty, and our Constitution,” Cheney said. “We can act now to protect our republic. So this afternoon, I am requesting that the chairman issue a subpoena for documents and testimony from Donald Trump about the January 6 attack on the Capitol.”

The panel “wants to hear from him,” Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said ahead of the vote. “The committee needs to do everything in our power to tell the most complete story possible and provide recommendations to help ensure nothing like Jan. 6 ever happens again.”

“He is required to answer for his actions,” Thompson added.

Thompson said the committee recognized how “extraordinary” the step was, and that the committee was anxious to “take this step in full view of the American people.”

Cheney based the motion on the refusal of several Trump officials and allies, including former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former advisor Steve Bannon, to testify.

“Mr. Chairman, our committee now has sufficient information to answer many of the critical questions posed by Congress at the outset. We have sufficient information to consider criminal referrals for multiple individuals and to recommend a range of legislative proposals to guard against another January 6,” Cheney said. “But a key task remains. We must seek the testimony, under oath, of January 6’s central plater.”