TIME TO TESTIFY: Mark Meadows gets some bad news from the Justice Department

COMPELLING TESTIMONY: Former Trump Chief of Staff ordered to testify before GA grand jury

The Department of Justice says Trump’s former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, can be forced to testify to the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th insurrection. Previously, the DOJ declined to act on the Select Committee’s referral to indict Meadows for contempt of Congress – despite compelling evidence that the former Chief of Staff was complicit in the attempted coup.

On Friday, the DOJ admitted the investigative panel provided more than enough evidence to subpoena Meadows, saying he isn’t “absolutely immune” from congressional subpoenas.

The announcement contradicted the DOJ’s original decision not to indict, and sided with the Select Committee, signaling their willingness to pursue charges.

In December 2021, the House Committee voted to hold Meadows in contempt after text messages were revealed between the former chief of staff and members of Congress and Trump allies on the day of the insurrection. Jan. 6 committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) said:

“There was a steady stream of communication between certain members of Congress and Mr. Meadows about matters central to our investigation. We have questions about those communications. We will pursue those questions and we won’t let the facts be buried by a coverup.”

Meadows has attempted to prevent his testimony, suing the committee in an attempt to block the subpoena issued, according to NPR.

Before stalling the committee’s investigation, Meadow initially cooperated – turning over more than 6,000 pages of records and over 2,000 text messages.

Glenn Kirschner, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C., took to his podcast to criticize Attorney General Merrick Garland, saying, “So DOJ, how about we step up? The American people are kind of depending on you, our democracy is kind of depending on you.”

Mark Meadows is running out of time. Those in Trump’s inner circle have already distanced themselves from him, and Trump himself has distanced himself as well. According to a source close to the ex-President, “Everyone is strategizing around the likelihood that Mark is in a lot of trouble.”

Let’s hope that he isn’t the only one held accountable.

Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick

Ty Ross

News journalist for Washington Press and Occupy Democrats.