U.S. Capitol Riot Panel Votes To Hold Mark Meadows In Contempt

Lawmakers investigating the assault on the US Capitol voted unanimously Monday to pursue criminal contempt charges against Donald Trump's former chief of staff for refusing to testify, Frankie Taggart reported for Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Photo Insert: Trump's fourth and final White House chief, Mark Meadows

Mark Meadows has made clear he would not comply with a subpoena to appear before the cross-party January 6 congressional select committee and missed a scheduled deposition for the second time last week.

Members are investigating Trump's efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election through an anti-democratic campaign that led to the deadly Capitol riot -- and the help he got from Meadows.

Trump's fourth and final White House chief -- a former congressman -- told the panel he would withhold testimony until courts resolve his former boss's claim of "executive privilege," which allows presidents to keep certain conversations with aides private.

"Whatever legacy he thought he left in the House, this is his legacy now: former colleagues singling him out for criminal prosecution because he wouldn't answer questions about what he knows about a brutal attack on our democracy," committee chairman Bennie Thompson said.

"That's his legacy. But he hasn't left us any choice. Mr. Meadows put himself in this situation. He must now accept the consequences."

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