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Former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark declines to answer panel questions : NPR

File picture of former Appearing Assistant U.S. Legal professional Normal Jeffrey Clark. He appeared for a deposition with the Jan. 6 choose Committee on Nov. 5, 2021.

Yuri Gripas/AP


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Yuri Gripas/AP


File picture of former Appearing Assistant U.S. Legal professional Normal Jeffrey Clark. He appeared for a deposition with the Jan. 6 choose Committee on Nov. 5, 2021.

Yuri Gripas/AP

The Democratic-led Home choose committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot on the U.S. Capitol issued a scathing assertion saying ex-Justice Division official Jeffrey Clark appeared earlier than the panel on Friday however didn’t cooperate.

Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., mentioned Clark didn’t reply questions from the panel about former President Trump and efforts to get the Justice Division to research false 2020 election claims. Thompson famous that Clark’s former DOJ supervisors have appeared earlier than panel.

Clark exerted claims of authorized privilege to keep away from answering of the panel’s questions. Thompson mentioned if Clark doesn’t reverse course, the committee might take motion towards him.

“I’ve thought of Mr. Clark’s declare of privilege and rejected it,” Thompson mentioned in an announcement late Friday. “He has a really brief time to rethink and cooperate absolutely. We want the knowledge that he’s withholding and we’re keen to take sturdy measures to carry him accountable to satisfy his obligation.”

Clark and his legal professional didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

In his earlier function, Clark promised to pursue former President Trump’s false election fraud claims. He was additionally a key determine in a recent Senate report detailing Trump’s makes an attempt to enlist the division in his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

For instance, the report mentioned Clark had proposed supply of a letter to Georgia state lawmakers and others to push for a delay in certifying election outcomes. Clark additionally really helpful holding a press convention asserting the Justice Division was investigating allegations of voter fraud regardless of a scarcity of proof.

Thompson mentioned Clark’s actions on Friday have been “unacceptable.”

“His refusal to reply questions in regards to the former President’s try to make use of the Division of Justice to overturn the election is in direct distinction to his supervisors on the Division,” Thompson mentioned. “It is astounding that somebody who so just lately held a place of public belief to uphold the Structure would now conceal behind obscure claims of privilege by a former President, refuse to reply questions on an assault on our democracy, and proceed an assault on the rule of legislation.”

The panel’s consideration of taking additional steps towards Clark comes greater than two weeks after the Home approved a referral for a prison contempt of Congress cost towards former Trump strategist Steve Bannon for defying a congressional subpoena.

Thus far, the committee has met with about 150 witnesses, together with casual interviews and depositions. The committee has not but publicly recognized those that have cooperated.

Subpoenas have been issued for Bannon and three different former Trump officers, plus members of a right-wing group and one other tied to other organizers behind the rally that preceded the lethal assault on the Capitol.

These adopted requests to dozens of social media and tech companies to protect and switch over data, together with several federal agencies. The panel has mentioned it has obtained “hundreds of pages of paperwork.”

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