Schiff: Jan. 6 panel decision on charges for Meadows could come this week

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Trump could make a decision this week on whether to recommend criminal contempt charges against former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. 

“I think we will probably make a decision this week on our course of conduct with that particular witness and maybe others,” Schiff, who sits on the panel, said Sunday during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “I can’t go into what communications that we’re having or haven’t had with particular witnesses. But we are moving with alacrity with anyone who obstructs the committee, and that was certainly the case with Mr. Bannon.”

Meadows, like several other officials close to the former president, has refused to cooperate with the House investigation, citing executive privilege. 

Earlier this month, the former Republican lawmaker turned top White House aide failed to show up for a deposition with the House committee investigating the attack. The move could trigger a full House vote to censure a witness for failing to appear before the panel’s investigators, which would lead to the Department of Justice determining whether to pursue criminal charges. 

“I can’t talk specifically about a particular witness. But I can tell you, with a variety of witnesses, we have had engagement with them through their counsel, some who, like Bannon, flatly refused to cooperate,” Schiff said on Sunday. 

Former Trump White House adviser Stephen Bannon also has defied the congressional panel, pleading not guilty to contempt of Congress charges earlier this month after being indicted by the Justice Department. 

“So, it varies witness to witness, but we discuss as a committee and with our legal counsel, what’s the appropriate step to make sure the American people get the information? We intend to hold public hearings again soon to bring the public along with us and show what we’re learning in real time,” Schiff said on CNN. “But we’re going to make these decisions very soon.” 

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) says 1/6 committee will “probably make a decision this week” regarding referring Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows for criminal contempt charges after he defied a subpoena. pic.twitter.com/0M4uP8ynW5

— The Recount (@therecount) November 28, 2021