Giuliani could face contempt charges after backing out of Friday interview with Pelosi’s Jan 6 panel

It would appear that common sense got the better of Rudy Giuliani when it comes to appearing before Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s politically motivated House select committee “investigating” the Jan. 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol.

Scheduled to be interviewed on Friday, Giuliani has withdrawn from that appearance unless he would be allowed to record the proceedings, according to a spokesman for the congressional committee investigating.

“Mr. Giuliani had agreed to participate in a transcribed interview with the Select Committee. Today, he informed committee investigators that he wouldn’t show up unless he was permitted to record the interview, which was never an agreed-upon condition,” spokesman Tim Mulvey said, according to the Albany Democrat-Herald.

Mulvey added that the Democrat-led panel planned to enforce the subpoena issued to Giuliani, who led former President Donald Trump’s legal team in challenging the results of the 2020 election

“Mr. Giuliani is an important witness to the conspiracy to overthrow the government and he remains under subpoena. If he refuses to comply the committee will consider all enforcement options,” the spokesman said.

The subpoena claimed that Giuliani “urged President Trump to direct the seizure of voting machines around the country after being told that the Department of Homeland Security had no lawful authority to do so.”

If Giuliani is held in contempt by the committee, he would be the fifth Trump ally so targeted, joining former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, former trade adviser Peter Navarro and longtime Trump social media manager Dan Scavino, Politico noted.

Here’s Politico’s take on Giuliani’s role in events:

Giuliani was at the center of nearly every aspect of Trump’s effort to overturn the election. He traveled to state capitals to encourage legislators to rescind President Joe Biden’s electors, propagated numerous conspiracy theories about the integrity of the 2020 election and huddled at the White House with lawmakers and top Trump aides to strategize about last-ditch efforts to keep Trump in power.

Giuliani also worked closely with John Eastman, a lawyer who helped devise the legal strategy to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to attempt to overturn the election unilaterally. Eastman was at Giuliani’s side the morning of Jan. 6, when Giuliani implored the rally crowd to prepare for “trial by combat.”

 

Attorney Robert Costello, who represents Giuliani, told CNN that even though Friday’s interview will not happen, the two sides continue to talk about a resolution.

“Let’s have trial by combat,” Giuliani said on Jan. 6. “I’m willing to stake my reputation, the President is willing to stake his reputation, on the fact that we’re going to find criminality there.”

Tom Tillison

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