Mark Meadows, Daniel Scavino, Kashyap Patel and Stephen Bannon Targeted –
Steve Bannon of Breitbart News speaks on behalf of Judge Roy Moore at Oak Hollow Farm in Fairhope , Alabama, with one week to go in U.S Senate race, Dec. 5, 2017: Photo by Glynn Wilson
By Glynn Wilson –
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol issued a new round of subpoenas on Thursday seeking documents and testimony from four individuals with close ties to the former president who were working with or had communications with the White House on or in the days leading up to the insurrection, according to a statement by Chairman Bennie G. Thompson.
In letters to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Daniel Scavino, former Defense Department official Kashyap Patel, and former Trump advisor Stephen Bannon, Chairman Thompson instructed the witnesses to produce materials and appear at depositions in the weeks ahead.
“The Committee is investigating the facts, circumstances, and causes of the January 6th attack and issues relating to the peaceful transfer of power, to identify and evaluate lessons learned and to recommend corrective laws, policies, procedures rules, or regulations,” Chairman Thompson said, underscoring the Select Committee’s authority established by House Resolution 503.
While serving as White House Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows reportedly communicated with officials at the state level and in the Department of Justice as part of an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election or prevent the election’s certification.
Former Chief of State on the Phone with Trump: Google
According to other reporting, Meadows was also in communication with organizers of the Jan. 6 rally, including Amy Kremer of Women for America First. The Select Committee has previously sought White House records dealing with Meadows, including his actions and communications and information he received dealing with the results and integrity of the 2020 election.
Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Daniel Scavino, on the phone with Trump? Google
Reporting indicates that former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Daniel Scavino was with the former President on Jan. 5 during a discussion of how to convince Members of Congress not to certify the election for Joe Biden. Prior to the Jan. 6 March for Trump, Scavino promoted the event on Twitter, encouraging people to “be a part of history.” And records indicate that Scavino was tweeting messages from the White House on Jan. 6.
Former Defense Department official under Trump, Kashyap Patel: Google
At the time of the Jan. 6 attack, Kashyap Patel was serving as chief of staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller. The former president had appointed Patel to this position on Nov. 10, the day after then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper was replaced.
According to documents provided by the Defense Department and published accounts, Patel was involved with discussions among senior Pentagon officials prior to and on Jan. 6 regarding security at the Capitol, and told a reporter that he was talking to Meadows “nonstop that day.”
The Select Committee has previously sought information about steps taken at the Pentagon to protect the national security both before and after Jan. 6, including Patel’s role and his communications with other Pentagon officials.
It has also been reported that the former president attempted to install Patel as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in early December, but that planned appointment was abandoned after then-CIA Director Gina Haspel threatened to resign.
The Select Committee has previously sought records related to potential or actual personnel changes in the last months of the previous administration, including Patel’s appointment at the Defense Department and his reported potential appointment at CIA.
Former Trump aide Stephen Bannon reportedly communicated with former President Trump on December 30, 2020, urging him to focus his efforts on Jan. 6.
Bannon also reportedly attended a gathering at the Willard Hotel on Jan. 5 as part of an effort to persuade members of Congress to block the certification of the election the next day. Bannon is also quoted as stating, on Jan. 5, that “[a]ll Hell is going to break loose tomorrow.”
The subpoenas instruct the witnesses to appear at depositions on the following dates:
October 14, 2021: Kashyap Patel and Stephen Bannon
October 15, 2021: Mark Meadows and Daniel Scavino
The letters to the four witnesses are linked here:
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I have been skeptical about this investigation. An investigation needs to be done but I’m afraid it will turn out like the Warren commission or the investigation of 9/11, Both shams. At least the subpoenas are encouraging. I’m afraid the misinformed and brainwashed foot soldiers that occupied the Capital will be punished while Trump, Mo Brooks, and Rudy Giuliani will walk free.