(LibertySociety.com) – In an attempt to piece together the events of January 6, the House select committee called on various people to provide evidence and testimony for its investigation. One of those summoned was President Donald Trump’s former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who appeared before the committee with his attorney, but refused to answer any questions. Although he reasoned legal privilege prevented him from responding to inquiries, Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) rejected the claim and intended to consider holding Clark in contempt if he continued his refusal.
BILL BARR DEPUTY JEFFREY CLARK REFERRED FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES BY CONGRESS FOR CONTEMPT. https://t.co/tqWroNidSi pic.twitter.com/VjkwHxV6NR
— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) December 1, 2021
Clark isn’t the only one resisting subpoenas from the committee. The Department of Justice indicted Steve Bannon on criminal contempt charges, and also threatened to do the same to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. On November 30, the former cabinet member began cooperating with the commission, supplying records and committing to a deposition. Thompson stated as long as he continues to cooperate, they’ll take criminal contempt charges “off the table.”
The January 6 commission will decide on December 1 whether Clark will face a contempt charge, which is a misdemeanor offense with a maximum of a $100,000 fine and a year in jail. In October, President Joe Biden stated the DOJ should prosecute anyone refusing to cooperate in the investigation.
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