House votes to hold ex-Trump aide in contempt of Congress

The US House of Representatives voted Tuesday to hold former president Donald Trump's last chief of staff Mark Meadows in contempt of Congress.

The decision comes after he ceased to cooperate with the January 6 Committee investigating the Capitol riots that resulted in the deaths of five people.

It is now up to the Justice Department, to decide whether Meadows should be formally charged. He could face up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. 

Meadows, a former Republican congressman from North Carolina, initially handed over some information to the House committee probing the attack but then refused, twice, to appear for a deposition, despite a subpoena.

Failure to comply with a congressional subpoena is a misdemeanor.

Meadows claimed 'executive privilege'

His attorney argued Meadows was covered by executive privilege; a right of the president and other officials in the executive to withhold certain forms of communication from Congress or the courts.

It is the same argument other Trump allies used to justify their decision to not testify at the committee. 

The Justice Department has already charged Trump's former chief strategist, Steve Bannon with two counts of contempt of Congress. That case is scheduled to be heard on 18 July.

The House is also considering similar action against another Trump ally, former Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark.

Proud Boys, Oath Keepers sued over the Capitol riots

Earlier on Tuesday, a civil lawsuit was brought against two extremist groups over their role in the attack on the US Capitol at the beginning of the year.

The Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, along with more than 30 individuals who are associated with the groups, have been accused of "conspiring to terrorize the District of Columbia," Attorney General Karl Racine said.

lo, jsi/msh (AP, AFP, Reuters)