"Former President Trump abused the office of the presidency and attempted to subvert a peaceful transfer of power," Gwin said. "The former president's actions represented a unique – and existential – threat to our democracy that can't be swept under the rug."
Trump objected to the release of hundreds of pages of documents, arguing the records should remain confidential because of executive privilege. The contested documents include handwritten notes about what was happening that day and call logs for Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, whose life was threatened as he oversaw Electoral College vote counting in his capacity as Senate president.
The case is significant not only for the documents at stake, but because several Trump aides and advisers have defied committee subpoenas by citing executive privilege. The high court’s decision could help define guidelines for congressional oversight and investigation of the executive branch.
Steve Bannon, a onetime Trump political strategist, faces trial on contempt charges July 18. The House cited former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows for contempt Dec. 14 and urged the Justice Department to charge him criminally. Former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark has also refused to answer questions, but the House postponed voting on a contempt citation against him until after he meets with the committee again.
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