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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 6 april 2022
Ivanka Trump testifies before House Jan. 6 panel

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, both of whom the commit-
LISA MASCARO and tee says have been unco-
FARNOUSH AMIRI operative. The committee
Associated Press previously voted to recom-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ivan- mend contempt charges
ka Trump, former President against longtime Trump ally
Donald Trump’s daughter Steve Bannon, who defied
and one of those closest to a congressional subpoena,
him during the insurrection and White House chief of
at the Capitol, is testifying staff Mark Meadows, who
before the House panel ceased cooperating with
investigating the Jan. 6, the panel.
2021, attack. Bannon was later indicted
Mississippi Rep. Bennie by a federal grand jury and
Thompson, the commit- is awaiting prosecution by
tee’s chairman, said Tues- the Justice Department.
day afternoon that she The Justice Department
had been answering in- has not taken any action
vestigators’ questions on against Meadows.
a video teleconference Other witnesses who are still
since the morning and was close to the former presi-
not “chatty” but had been dent — and several who
helpful to the probe. Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to President Donald Trump, waves to supporters during a were in the White House
“She came in on her own” campaign event Nov. 2, 2020, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, in Des Moines, Iowa. that day — have declined
and did not have to be Associated Press to answer the committee’s
subpoenaed, Thompson on the insurrection. While for Trump advisers Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino, questions.q
said. Ivanka Trump, who Congress doesn’t have
was with her father in the power to charge anyone
White House that day, is with a crime, members of
one of more than 800 wit- the panel say the objective
nesses the committee has is to create the most com-
interviewed as it works to prehensive record possible
compile a record of the at- so nothing like it ever hap-
tack, the worst on the Cap- pens again.
itol in more than two centu- Lawmakers have said they
ries. She the first of Trump’s want to discuss what Ivan-
children known to speak to ka Trump knew about her
the committee and one of father’s efforts, including a
the closest people to her telephone call they say she
father. Whether she gives witnessed, to pressure then-
the committee new infor- Vice President Mike Pence
mation or not, her decision to reject Biden’s 2020 elec-
to cooperate is significant tion win as part of his cer-
for the panel, which has emonial role overseeing
been trying to secure an in- the electoral count. Pence
terview with her since late rejected those efforts.
January. The nine-member The committee is also in-
panel is particularly fo- terested in any concerns
cused on what the former she may have heard from
president was doing as his Pence’s staff, members of
supporters broke into the Congress and the White
Capitol and interrupted House counsel’s office
the certification of Presi- about Trump’s pressure on
dent Joe Biden’s victory. Pence.
Ivanka Trump’s testimony Ivanka Trump’s coopera-
comes less than a week tion stands in contrast with
after her husband, Jared some of her father’s other
Kushner, testified to the top advisers, several of
committee in a separate whom have refused to
virtual meeting that lasted cooperate as the former
more than six hours. Mem- president has fought the
bers of the panel said his probe. Trump has tried to
testimony was helpful and exert executive privilege
were hoping to further fill in over documents and inter-
the gaps with her help. views, but in many cases
The panel is using the inter- has been overruled by
views to compile a compre- courts or Biden, who has
hensive record and will be- that authority as the sitting
gin to release information president.
in the coming months as it The House is expected to
holds public hearings and vote this week to recom-
releases a series of reports mend contempt charges