Donald Trump Jr. appeared Tuesday earlier than the Home committee investigating the January 6 assault, 4 sources confirmed to CBS Information.
Sources stated Trump Jr. testified voluntarily and nearly. Two sources stated the interview was "largely uneventful." One other supply estimated the interview lasted about three hours, stated Trump Jr. didn't plead the Fifth and described the interview as "very cordial."
Committee chair Bennie Thompson final week stated that Trump Jr. was on the deposition wishlist, and that the committee was partaking with him.
Trump Jr. spoke on the rally on the Ellipse on January 6 earlier than the assault on the Capitol started. In keeping with the Related Press, Trump Jr. posted movies backstage of his household and high Trump aides. At that rally, former President Donald Trump inspired his supporters on the rally to "stroll down" to the Capitol as Congress counted the electoral votes.
Trump Jr.'s fiancee, Kimberly Guilfoyle, additionally spoke on the Ellipse rally in help of Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud. In keeping with Thompson, the committee has additionally obtained proof that Guilfoyle touted her involvement in elevating funds for that rally. Investigators additionally stated they consider Guilfoyle communicated with others about Trump's choices on who could be allowed to talk on the rally.
Guilfoyle has already appeared earlier than the Home January 6 committee earlier this month, practically two months after her legal professionals abruptly ended a voluntary digital interview by committee workers over frustration with its format. The panel later issued a subpoena to Guilfoyle, compelling her testimony and information.
In keeping with textual content messages obtained by CNN, Trump Jr. despatched textual content messages to then-White Home chief of workers Mark Meadows two days after Election Day saying "we've operational management" to make sure his father could be declared the victor within the 2020 election.
"It is quite simple," Trump Jr. texted to Meadows on November 5, in line with CNN. He added, "We have now a number of paths. We management all of them."
These texts are among the many information obtained by the Home January 6 committee, in line with CNN.
Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle are the newest members of the Trump household to look earlier than the Home January 6 committee. Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump met nearly with investigators in April, and her husband, Jared Kushner, spoke with the panel voluntarily in March.
However some members of Trump's workers have refused to look earlier than the committee or present paperwork. 4 high Trump allies – Steve Bannon, Meadows, Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino – have been held in contempt of Congress for refusing to adjust to subpoenas, and the Justice Division has charged Bannon. All stated they're following directions from Trump, who has claimed govt privilege.
The panel is winding down its fact-finding section, and it's making ready to start hearings on June 9. Thompson stated final week that the committee will probably be holding eight hearings this summer time.
To this point, the committee has issued dozens of subpoenas, together with ones to Trump's allies, former White Home officers, marketing campaign aides and people concerned within the planning of the rally outdoors the White Home earlier than the Capitol constructing got here beneath siege.
Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi created the Home choose committee final yr to research 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 had been despatched fleeing amid the riot, which led to the deaths of 5 individuals and the arrests of a whole lot extra. Trump was impeached by the Home one week later for inciting the riot however was later acquitted by the Senate.
Zak Hudak contributed to this report.