CNN reported today that the prospective witness who Liz Cheney said got a call from Trump, which was referred to the DOJ as possible witness intimidation, was not someone Trump would regularly call, but a former Trump WH support staffer. So no question this was intimidation.
www.cnn.com/...
But then I just saw on MSNBC that Chairman Thompson said the person now would likely not be called to testify before the committee.
“‘You know, we are concerned obviously about the witness. And we’re not going to put that witness in unnecessary jeopardy,’ Thompson, D-Miss., said a day after the panel first revealed the alleged call.”
www.nbcnews.com/...
WTF?
I fully appreciate the risks for the witness, but, if Trump called the former staffer, that means Trump is deathly afraid of that person’s testimony.
If there is any way the witness is still willing to testify, it should happen. Even if the person is unwilling, he or she should be subpoenaed.
The testimony does not even have to be at the televised public hearing. A deposition with a transcript ready to go to the DOJ and be publicly released if it is as relevant as it seems to be is enough.
Like it or not, this is not a game. It is a war against a would be fascist dictator who wants to destroy every one of us if given another chance.
And, if the committee passes on this witness, it is REWARDING Trump for his intimidation.
That is insane.
The full force of the US Government should protect that witness and secure his or her testimony.
Chairman Thompson earlier said the Committee would not be making a criminal referral on Trump, but then other Committee members pushed back and Thompson had to temper his caution.
The Chairman is a great man in many ways, but now is not the time to hold back.
That is the road to losing our democracy.
UPDATE: For anyone thinking this was just about the witness testifying in the televised hearing, the exact question was “Are we going to hear from this witness?” The Chairman’s answer was “I would doubt it” followed by the expression of concern quoted above. If we never hear from the witness, one way or another, don’t see how we ever get to the bottom of what he or she knows and what Trump is trying to suppress.
UPDATE 2: The Washington Post has confirmed “
Trump’s call was to a member of his support staff who worked with former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson in some capacity and can corroborate aspects of her testimony, according to these people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The attempt at contact was considered unusual because this staffer had not spoken with the former president for some time.” www.washingtonpost.com/…
Given the person’s low level, no question it was intimidation. Still hoping somehow we eventually hear from this person. Corroboration of Hutchinson’s story is important. Other big news today is corroboration of her testimony about Trump’s outburst in car with Secret Service, which loyal agents had denied through leaks not under oath (before we also found out today the Secret Service deleted texts from Jan 5-6 which feels like obstruction of justice by a Trumpist palace guard).
www.washingtonpost.com/…