Donald Trump sues | CTV News

Washington –

Former US President Donald Trump is suing a House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol to avoid cooperating with a subpoena demanding him to testify.

The lawsuit, which was filed Friday night, said the former president had voluntarily agreed to provide testimony or documents in response to congressional subpoenas in the past, but that “the president or former president was compelled to do so.” Never,” he claims.

In a statement announcing Trump’s intentions, Trump’s attorney David A. said.

Warrington said Trump engaged the committee “in a good-faith effort to resolve these concerns consistent with the executive branch’s privilege and separation of powers,” but said the committee was “not on a political path.” “President Trump has no choice but to get involved.” “

The committee declined to comment on a petition Trump filed days before the deadline set by the committee to begin cooperation. Given what is being said, the lawsuit is likely doomed to the likelihood that Trump will have to testify.

It is also days before Trump is expected to officially launch his third presidential campaign at his club, Mar Lago.

The committee voted to submit a subpoena to Trump at his final televised hearing before the midterm elections, formally submitted a subpoena last month, and sent it to the former president in the Capitol or by videoconference by mid-November. He demanded testimony and continued for several days if necessary.

The letter also outlined extensive requests for documents, including personal communications between Trump and members of Congress and extremist groups. has extended the deadline until this week.

In his lawsuit, Trump’s attorneys attacked the subpoena as overly broad and framed it as a violation of his First Amendment rights. They also argue that sources other than Trump can provide the same information the committee is seeking from him.

A panel of seven Democrats and two Republicans released a statement last week saying it was in contact with Trump’s lawyers.

The commission’s decision to submit a subpoena to Trump in late October was a significant escalation in that investigation, with lawmakers saying the former president was a “central figure” in a multi-pronged effort to reverse the 2020 results. ”, so it was a necessary measure. selection.

“I think he has a legal obligation to testify, but that doesn’t always matter to Donald Trump,” said committee vice chair Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo last week. spoke at the event.

In addition to requiring Trump to testify, the committee will also demand that all messages Trump send in encrypted messaging app signals or “other means” about congressmen and other surprising events. requested 19 documents and correspondence, including Attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The scope of the Commission’s request was broad, seeking documents from September 1, 2020, two months before the election, to date regarding the President’s communications with groups such as the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, and that the Commission A historical record of the preparations for the attack on the Capitol, the event itself, and the aftermath that we are about to put together.

Trump’s lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Florida, to secure a special master tasked with conducting an independent investigation of records seized by the FBI during the Aug. 8 Mar-a-Lago search. Other Trump lawyers have sued successfully.