Topline
Ex-Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark pleaded the Fifth Amendment over 100 times during a deposition with House January 6 committee investigators Wednesday, according to CNN, becoming the latest figure in former President Donald Trump’s circle to show up for questioning but largely avoid providing information to lawmakers investigating the Capitol riot.
FILE – Jeffrey Clark, then assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources … [+]
Key Facts
Clark did not answer “most” questions during his one hour-and-40-minute deposition on Wednesday, CNN reported Thursday, citing a source with knowledge of the events.
That makes him at least the fourth person to appear for a deposition but largely refuse to answer questions, along with radio host Alex Jones, right-wing legal scholar John Eastman and Trump political advisor Roger Stone, who said he did not answer any of the committee’s questions.
The committee voted to recommend contempt of Congress charges for Clark in December, after he initially refused to appear for a deposition or otherwise comply with a subpoena.
The full House never voted on bringing contempt charges after Clark agreed to appear for a deposition.
Representatives for the January 6 Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes, nor did Clark’s attorney.
Key Background
Clark was among the first of dozens of Trump Administration officials the committee subpoenaed, initially calling for him to testify in October. The committee cited reports claiming Trump considered firing then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and replacing him with Clark after Rosen refused to investigate Trump’s false claims of widespread election fraud. Clark has maintained he shouldn’t have to give information to the committee since it’s protected by executive privilege, a defense Trump has also unsuccessfully tried to use to block the committee from accessing White House records. But the Supreme Court last month rejected Trump’s request to block the National Archives from handing over documents as part of the investigation. The National Archives announced Wednesday it’s also planning to turn over Vice President Mike Pence’s records to the committee.
Crucial Quote
“There is credible evidence that, while serving as an official at the Department of Justice, Mr. Clark was involved in efforts to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power,” the committee said in a statement after issuing Clark a subpoena on October 13.
Tangent
Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said Wednesday he believes Trump is “absolutely” tampering with witnesses in the investigation. Trump said at a rally on Saturday that if he runs for president again and wins, he may pardon those accused of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.
Further Reading
Former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark pleaded the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times in January 6 committee interview (CNN)
Alex Jones Says He Testified Before Jan. 6 Committee—And Took The Fifth ‘Almost 100 Times’ (Forbes)
Jan. 6 Committee Votes To Hold Jeffrey Clark In Contempt Of Congress (Forbes)
Kayleigh McEnany, Stephen Miller Among Trump Officials Subpoenaed By House Jan. 6 Committee (Forbes)
Supreme Court Won’t Stop Congress From Accessing Jan. 6 Files, Despite Lawsuit From Trump (Forbes)
Jan. 6 committee member: Trump ‘absolutely’ tampering with witnesses (Politico)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/02/03/trump-doj-official-jeffrey-clark-reportedly-pleaded-the-fifth-over-100-times-in-jan-6-deposition-joining-these-others/