Rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty
The U.S. Department of Justice has issued an estimated 40 subpoenas to former aides and campaign staffers of PresidentDonald Trumpin recent days,The New York Timesreports — a signal that the federal investigation into the deadly Jan. 6, 2021,Capitol riotsis progressing rapidly.
According to theTimes, among those subpoenaed are former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, and Dan Scavino, who previously served as the White House deputy chief of staff for communications and director of social media.
Scavino was found to be in contempt of Congress in March for failing to comply with a separate congressional subpoena related to the 2020 election, which came from thebipartisan congressional committeeinvestigating the riots.
Reports surfaced earlier this year that, in the wake of Trump’s loss, groups from seven states including Arizona, Georgia and New Mexico sent lists of so-called “alternate electors” to the National Archives. Those who signed the falsified documents claimed that Trump won the 2020 election — when, in reality, the electors in those states voted in favor of now-PresidentJoe Biden. Those bogus documents were reportedly forwarded to the committee investigating the Capitol riots.
TheTimesalso reports that two Trump advisers — Boris Epshteyn and Mike Roman — had their phones seized last week as evidence in the Department of Justice investigation. Epshteyn and Roman have earlier beenlinked to the fake electors plot.
A38-page affidavitused to obtain the warrant, which was later unsealed, showed there was probable cause “to believe that evidence, contraband, fruits of crime, or other items illegally possessed” would be found on the premises of Trump’s home.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
“We will hold accountable anyone who was criminally responsible for attempting to interfere with the transfer, legitimate, lawful transfer of power from one administration to the next,” Garland said in a Julyinterview.
Trump, his family and supporters have repeatedly and insistently denied wrongdoing in the various criminal, congressional and civil inquiries. No charges have been filed against the former president.
source: people.com
