Jan. 6 Committee Threatens To Hold Mark Meadows In Contempt If He Does Not Testify

A House committee investigating the attack on Capitol Capitol Jan. 6, warned that Mark Meadows, former White House chief staff officer, could face contempt charges if he fails to testify before Congress Friday. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the chairman of the committee, wrote to Meadows’ lawyer, George Terwilliger III, stating that Meadows’ “failure” to appear at the deposition would be considered “willful non-compliance.”


Thompson went on to write how non-compliance would require the Select Committee to invoke the Congress procedures for criminal prosecutions — as well as the possibility of having a civil suit to enforce the subpoena against Mr. Meadows in a personal capacity.


Thompson’s letter addressed to Terwilliger came after the White House informed Meadows’ attorney that on Thursday, President Biden would not invoke executive privilege or immunity over testimony or documents requested.


White House counsel Jonathan Su wrote how President Biden recognizes that candid advice is important in the discharge of President’s constitutional obligations and believes that executive privilege should be asserted in appropriate cases to protect former White House staff members from having to testify about conversations regarding the President’s exercised of his duties.


Meadows was subpoenaed in September, along with former Pentagon official Kash Patel,  former White House adviser Steve Bannon and Dan Scavino, former White House deputy chief-of-staff for communications.


The House voted last month to place Bannon in contempt for violating a subpoena issued by the committee.