Title: Federal Judge Denies Donald Trump’s Request for Subpoenas in Capitol Riot Investigation
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah, Florida, U.S. November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Octavio Jones
Octavio Jones | Reuters
A federal judge has denied a request by Donald Trump to issue subpoenas for records related to a select House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The denial comes as Trump seeks the subpoenas as part of his defense to criminal charges related to his attempt to reverse his loss in the 2020 presidential election.
The Jan. 6, 2021, riot by Trump supporters began after weeks of false claims by the then-president that ballot fraud was the reason for Joe Biden’s election victory.
Judge Tanya Chutkan, in her order denying the subpoenas, suggested that Trump’s lawyers were engaged in a “fishing expedition” with their request. Chutkan expressed her concerns over the broad scope of the records being sought by Trump and the vague description of their potential relevance, stating that it resembled less ‘a good faith effort to obtain identified evidence’ than they do ‘a general ‘fishing expedition’ that attempts to use the [Rule 17(c) subpoena] as a discovery device.”
Chutkan further wrote that the attorneys failed to meet their burden to justify the subpoenas, which would have been issued to the head of the National Archives, the clerk of the House of Representatives, the chairman of the select House panel, and others.
As the case continues to develop, Trump has pleaded not guilty in the criminal charges, which are pending in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
This is a breaking news story, and we will continue to update as more information becomes available.
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This ruling by the federal judge is a setback for Donald Trump as he faces legal challenges stemming from the Capitol riot and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The denial of the subpoenas hinders his defense strategy and adds to the legal complexities of the case. The decision also reflects the ongoing legal battles and controversies surrounding the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and the subsequent investigations. The outcome of the case and the broader implications for Trump and his political future remain to be seen. We will provide updates as the situation unfolds.
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