After getting slapped with a subpoena from the U.S. House Select Committee investigating the attack on the Capitol, former President Donald Trump issued a ranting letter to committee chair Bennie Thompson reiterating baseless claims, including that the 2020 U.S. Presidential election was stolen.
What Happened: Trump argues several points in the letter, including that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to deploy the National Guard despite warnings of potential violence. This has been discredited.
Trump also put blame on the original issue of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election as the root of the capitol riot, calling the committee "a total BUST" with "very low television ratings."
See Also: New Book Shows Donald Trump Treated White House Like Movie Or TV Gig
In the letter, Trump made no mention of whether he would comply with the committee’s subpoena to testify but questioned why he wasn’t asked to testify months ago. Instead, the committee waited until the “final moments of their last meeting," Trump said.
The committee, over the course of nine hearings and more than 1,000 interviews, presented evidence to the American public that Trump knew he did not win the election and was thus perpetrating fraud to inspire his supporters to attack the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Why It’s Important: Trump’s letter puts blame on Pelosi and others. The former president made reference to his rally held on Jan. 6 before the Capitol Riot but said it wasn’t a factor in the events.
Trump did not say whether he would comply with the subpoena.
Thompson said that Trump must be held responsible for his actions and to answer to Americans for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“This is a question about accountability to the American people,” Thompson said. “He must be accountable. He is required to answer for his actions.”
The outcome of this upcoming Election Day could affect whether the investigation continues, or if a Republican-led House of Representatives shuts down the investigation.
Separately, Trump's media company, Trump Media & Technology Group, is in the middle of merging with Digital World Acquisition Corporation DWAC. The SPAC merger has faced several setbacks in recent months and could see the merger terminated.
DWAC Price Action: Digital World Acquisition shares were down 4% on Friday, Oct. 14, to $17.49.
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