Trump Files Lawsuit Refusing Congressional Riot Subpoena from US House Select Committee

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 'Capitol Riot' to avoid being summoned, according to reports from AP News and others.

According to reports on the 11th (local time), former President Trump filed a lawsuit in a Florida federal court requesting exemption from congressional testimony regarding actions taken during his presidency.

The committee issued a subpoena last month ordering former President Trump to appear for testimony starting on the 14th. They also demanded related documents be submitted by the 4th of this month, later extending the deadline to this week.

However, Trump's side stated in the lawsuit, "The committee has already investigated over 1,000 witnesses and collected one million documents, sufficiently securing materials related to the incident," adding, "In this situation, summoning a former president constitutes an unnecessary infringement on the presidency."

Trump's side also argued that if he complies with the committee's subpoena, executive privilege would be violated as it would require disclosing conversations with Department of Justice officials and lawmakers about the 2020 election, as well as government business that has not been finalized.

David A. Warrington, Trump's attorney, said in a statement, "According to the separation of powers, it is a long-standing precedent and practice that Congress does not compel the president to testify before Congress," and "No former or current president has ever been forced to do so."

The committee declined to comment on former President Trump's recent response.

AP News interpreted that the lawsuit was filed just days before the testimony date requested by the committee and suggested that, given the committee is expected to dissolve when the U.S. Congress session ends in January next year, this move indicates an intention to avoid congressional testimony.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.