The Parliamentary Inquiry Committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol storm unanimously ruled Monday that Meadows should be prosecuted for contempt of Congress. The Department of Justice must now take the lead.
“This is a very serious commission of inquiry. A bit like the commission investigating the MH17 disaster in our country,” says US reporter Eric Motan. “As chief of staff, Meadows has been Trump’s chief adviser. He knows everything and has the answers.”
It’s all about investigating the January 6 storming of the Washington Capitol by an angry mob of Trump supporters. Five people were killed and hundreds injured.
Where was the army?
The Senate met that day to discuss the results of the presidential election that Donald Trump lost. The protesters wanted to avoid confirming Joe Biden’s election victory.
“Everyone wonders why it took so long for the National Guard to intervene. I was there. I thought the army would come any minute, but it only took four hours,” says Mathan.
Reports compiled by the commission of inquiry indicate that the White House was aware of the situation in and around the Capitol Building. The New York Times reported that the promoter could have had a coordinating role with the demonstration organizers.
According to the commission, an email shows Meadows promised that the National Guard would be willing to help Trump supporters. A PowerPoint presentation with scenarios to invalidate Biden’s election victory was also distributed, including declaring a state of emergency or accusing China and Venezuela of meddling.
Witch hunt or fact-finding?
According to Mothan, America is divided over the investigation: “The right thinks it’s a witch hunt for Trump. The left is still in shock over the storming of the Capitol and is demanding answers.”
“We know that Trump flogs people,” says Mathan. “But this committee wants to know how the storming of the Capitol was organized. Did the White House orchestrate it?”
According to Mothan, Trump wants to prevent his closest aides from speaking at all costs. “There will be parliamentary elections at the end of next year. If the Republicans get a majority, this committee will end,” he added.
According to Mathan, this does not mean that the commission of inquiry is meaningless. Trump’s lower party members speak to the committee and all kinds of documents are available on request, creating a more complete picture of events.
The promoter prefers writing a book
According to the commission, Meadows turned over the documents, but also withheld much information. According to the former chief of staff, this information is classified. But the committee does not find that credibility, also because Meadows is promoting a book discussing the Capitol Storm.
Ultimately, the Department of Justice must now decide whether to file a criminal case against Meadows. He faces a year in prison. Last month, the department decided to prosecute former Trump adviser Steve Bannon for refusing to testify before the investigative committee.
