Donald Trump fights the demand of the 1/6 “leftist” committee with “executive privilege”

Former President Donald Trump called the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill a “partisan shame” and suggested it would invoke executive privilege as the committee searches for a wealth of documents.

Trump issued a statement on Wednesday slamming the “leftist” committee after sending his first request for documents relating to the events of January 6. These requests included “communications within and between the White House and executive agencies.”

The committee is chaired by Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson and includes Republican Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both critics of the former president.

Trump’s statement said: “The left ‘select committee’ has exposed itself more as a partisan sham and a waste of taxpayer money with a demand that is programmed to distract Americans from historic and global disasters brought on by the failures of Joe Biden and the Democrats. “

“Unfortunately, this partisan exercise is being carried out at the expense of long-standing legal principles of privilege,” the statement continued.

“Executive privilege will be upheld, not only on behalf of my administration and the patriots who have worked alongside me, but on behalf of the office of the President of the United States and the future of our nation. These Democrats have only one tired turn – theater politics – and their latest demand only reinforces this pathetic reality. “

Executive privilege is a doctrine that protects the confidentiality of White House communications, and Trump could potentially sue to retain select committee documents.

The committee made a series of requests for documents on Wednesday regarding preparations for the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. Those requests included documents as to whether Trump attempted to place people loyal to him in government positions after the 2020 election, planning and management by the January 6 administration, and whether attempts were made to overturn the election result.

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President Trump:

“The left ‘select committee’ has exposed itself further as a partisan sham and a waste of taxpayer money with a demand that is programmed to distract Americans from the historic and global disasters brought on by the failures of Joe Biden and democrats. pic.twitter.com/syRSo6GQ8j

– Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) August 26, 2021

The committee also requested “documents and communications relating to Donald Trump’s mental stability or fitness for duty” and requested from the National Archives “all documents and communications within the White House” relating to a number people, including the former first lady. Melania Trump, former National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Requests have been made to the National Archives and Records Administration, the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Justice, Defense, Homeland Security and Home Departments.

Representative Thompson, who chairs the committee, gave the agencies in question two weeks to comply with the requests – a deadline of September 9.

“Our Constitution provides for a peaceful transfer of power, and this inquiry aims to assess the threats to this process, identify lessons learned and recommend laws, policies, procedures, rules or regulations necessary to protect our republic in the world. future, ”Thompson wrote in a letter to the agencies.

Thompson has previously suggested that Trump could be subpoenaed and if the subpoenaed witnesses refused to cooperate, he would take the case to court.

“The problems of January 6 are one of the most important challenges we have as a nation, to ensure that this democracy does not fall prey to people who do not really identify with democracy,” said Thompson July 21.

News week Thompson asked for a comment.