Jan. 6 select panel subpoenas four former Trump aides

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The select panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol issued subpoenas to four aides of former President Donald Trump.

The committee issued subpoenas to "individuals with close ties" to Trump who were working in or had communications with the White House in the days leading up to the insurrection, including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Daniel Scavino, former Defense Department official Kashyap Patel and former Trump advisor Stephen Bannon.

"The committee is investigating the facts, circumstances and causes of the Jan. 6 attack and issues relating to the peaceful transfer of power, to identify and evaluate lessons learned and to recommend corrective laws, policies, procedures rules or regulations," said the committee's chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss.

In a statement Thursday, the committee noted that Meadows reportedly communicated with officials at the state level and in the Department of Justice in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election or prevent their certification and also reportedly communicated with organizers of the rally at the Capitol that preceded the riots.

The committee also noted that Patel was serving as chief of staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller at the time of the insurrection and was involved in conversations among Pentagon officials regarding security at the Capitol and also told a reporter he was talking to Meadows "nonstop that day."

Reports also state that Scavino was with Trump the day before the insurrection as part of a discussion to convince members of Congress not to certify President Joe Biden's election win, the committee said. Records also show he tweeted messages from the White House on the day of the riots.

Bannon was also reportedly present at a Jan. 5 gathering to convince lawmakers to block the certification where he was quoted as saying "[a]ll hell is going to break loose tomorrow." Reports also state that he spoke with Trump on Dec. 30 and urged him to focus on Jan. 6.

The subpoenas instruct Patel and Bannon to appear for depositions before the committee on Oct. 14, while Meadows and Scavino are ordered to appear on Oct. 15.