WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump is suing the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to block a subpoena requiring him to testify.
According to Politico, the 41-page lawsuit was filed Friday evening in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida.
In a statement announcing Trump’s intentions, his attorney said that the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches forbids Congress from compelling a President to testify.
“Long-held precedent and practice maintain that separation of powers prohibits Congress from compelling a President to testify before it,” Trump attorney David A. Warrington said.
According to The Associated Press, committee members have accused Trump of “personally orchestrating” an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
In October, the House Select Committee investigating the attack on the Capitol issued a subpoena seeking documents and testimony related to the day’s violence. The letter sent on Oct. 21 to Trump’s lawyers said he must testify, either at the Capitol or by videoconference, “beginning on or about” Nov. 14 and continuing for multiple days if necessary, the AP reported.
According to Politico, Trump hired the Dhillon Law Group in October to represent him in negotiations with the committee. The firm also represents several other witnesses who have appeared before the committee, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Check back for more on this developing story.
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