As the House is poised to vote Wednesday on holding two former Trump aides in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with Jan. 6-related subpoenas, frustrations are mounting inside the committee investigating the attack over the Justice Department’s lack of action on its last criminal referral.
People familiar with the matter said the Justice Department has stonewalled committee staffers who have sought to understand prosecutors’ views on the referrals as the House prepares to vote on charges for former trade and manufacturing director Peter Navarro and former White House communications chief Daniel Scavino Jr. The department has not yet acted on the House’s December vote backing contempt charges for former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
That has stymied lawmakers who are trying to enforce subpoenas to members of Trump’s inner circle as the committee works to launch hearings in May. The individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk freely about private discussions.