House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that she does not believe former President Donald Trump is “man enough” to be deposed before the committee on January 6.
On Friday, the committee officially subpoenaed Trump, requesting that he turn over vital papers by November 4 and testify before the committee by November 14, just a week after the midterm elections.
“I don’t think he’s man enough to turn up,” Pelosi said on MSNBC’s “The Sunday Show” with Jonathan Capehart. “I doubt his attorneys will want him to appear since he must testify under oath. But I doubt he’ll show up. I don’t believe he’s a guy enough. We’ll see what happens.”
Members of the panel on January 6 have stated that Trump is “obliged by law” to comply with the subpoena. Rep. Adam Kinzinger has already stated that the DOJ holding Trump in criminal contempt is “a bridge we will cross if necessary,” while Rep. Liz Cheney has cautioned that Trump will not be allowed to “make this into a circus.”
Trump has not declared if he would cooperate with the subpoena, though he has privately suggested that if his hearing is televised live, he may.
Trump might try to postpone the proceedings until Republicans reclaim the House in November. The committee will be disbanded on January 3, 2023, along with the 117th Congress.