WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – According to information from the committee, the committee on the attack on the US Capitol is now expecting a statement from the former chief strategist of the then US President donald trump, Steve Bannon. Committee member Zoe Lofgren told CNN on Sunday that a letter was received from Bannon’s lawyer during the night saying his client would testify. “The committee has obviously not had a chance to discuss this, but I expect we will hear from him and we have many questions for him.”
CNN, citing a letter Trump sent to Bannon, reported that ex-President Trump had revoked his office privilege, according to which Bannon was not allowed to speak on government matters. From the point of view of the committee of inquiry, however, the privilege had not exempted Bannon from the obligation to appear before the panel anyway.
Bannon was charged with contempt of Congress last November for ignoring a subpoena from the committee. He was also accused of not providing requested documents. The judge released Bannon conditionally pending a verdict.
It is unclear when and under what circumstances Bannon could testify. The committee of inquiry is convening for its next public session this Tuesday. Former White House counsel under President Trump, Pat Cipollone, testified behind closed doors last Friday.
On January 6, 2021, Trump supporters violently stormed the seat of parliament in the capital Washington. Congress met there to certify the election victory of Trump’s Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the previous presidential election. The riots killed five people, including a police officer. Trump had recently incited his supporters at a rally that his election victory had been stolen. The committee is working on the attack./cy/dp/he