The Home choose committee investigating the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol is aiming to launch an interim report of its findings this June, in keeping with the panel's chairman. In the meantime, former Trump commerce adviser Peter Navarro didn't present up for his scheduled deposition, he confirmed to CBS Information.
Committee chair Congressman Bennie Thompson instructed reporters Wednesday that investigators' aim was to wrap up depositions with witnesses by the start of April. The committee would then maintain public hearings that month, which might be adopted by an interim report in June, he mentioned.
The committee's timeline might be pushed again, nevertheless, if investigators discover out new data or search testimony and data from extra witnesses.
Thus far, investigators have spoken to over 650 witnesses, in keeping with a panel aide. The committee has publicly issued greater than 90 subpoenas, concentrating on witnesses that span members of former President Donald Trump's inside circle to January 6 rally organizers and rightwing extremists.
On Wednesday, the committee heard from Patrick Casey, who the panel has recognized as a pacesetter of "America First" or "Groypers", a far-right group. The committee first issued a subpoena to Casey in January, after Casey declined to voluntarily cooperate by means of his lawyer.
Navarro was additionally slated to testify Wednesday, however refused to seem. In a press release to CBS Information, he mentioned his palms have been "tied" as a result of he couldn't waive an govt privilege assertion he mentioned was made by the previous president.
"The Committee has a agency authorized obligation to barter this matter immediately with Trump and his attorneys earlier than trying to coerce and bully me into cooperating with its extremely partisan effort. If the president waives privilege, I'll seem," the assertion mentioned.
Thompson on Wednesday didn't rule out the potential of pursuing felony contempt in opposition to Navarro, saying it is "at all times an choice" for witnesses who refuse to cooperate.
Navarro's no-show got here a day after a lawyer within the White Home Counsel's workplace notified Navarro that President Biden wouldn't assert govt privilege to defend him from testifying earlier than the committee.
The committee subpoenaed Navarro's data and testimony in early February, citing his position in a plan to delay the congressional certification of the 2020 election outcomes, and in the end overturn President Biden's victory.
Navarro is the newest no-show for the Home January 6 committee. Two prime Trump allies, Steve Bannon and former White Home chief of employees Mark Meadows, have been held in contempt of Congress for refusing to adjust to subpoenas, and the Justice Division has charged Bannon. Each mentioned they're following directions from Trump, who has claimed govt privilege.
Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi created the Home choose committee final 12 months to analyze the January 6 assault, when hundreds of Trump supporters descended on the Capitol as Congress counted the electoral votes, a largely ceremonial closing step affirming Mr. Biden's victory. Lawmakers have been despatched fleeing amid the riot, which led to the deaths of 5 individuals and the arrests of tons of extra. Trump, who inspired his supporters to "stroll over" to the Capitol in the course of the rally on the Ellipse earlier than the electoral vote rely, was impeached by the Home one week later for inciting the riot however was later acquitted by the Senate.