Trump v. Select Committee

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January 6 Committee

Trump v. Select Committee

Major Issue: Whether a former president can quash a congressional committee subpoena by asserting absolute immunity, executive privilege, or other constitutional, statutory, or common law grounds.

Case Status: Complete.

Case Description: On Nov. 11, 2022, former President Donald Trump filed a complaint in federal court to quash a subpoena for documents and testimony issued by the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. Mr. Trump asserted numerous grounds for quashing the subpoena including that former presidents are absolutely immune to congressional subpoenas, the requested information is protected by executive privilege, the subpoena violates his First Amendment rights, and the subpoena does not advance a valid legislative purpose, violates the procedural requirements of the resolution forming the committee, and is overly broad.

Procedural Posture: On Nov. 11, 2022, Mr. Trump filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. On Dec. 28, 2022, the Select Committee sent a letter to Mr. Trump’s lawyer stating that it was withdrawing the committee subpoena as it completes its work.  As a result, the case is moot.

On Nov. 11, 2022, former President Donald Trump sued the House Select Committee, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and each of the House Select Committee members, to quash a committee subpoena for documents and testimony. He filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, in the West Palm Beach Division where he resides. Case No. 9:22-cv-81758 has yet to be assigned to a judge.

No proceedings to date.

No proceedings to date.