- Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows testifies to Grand Jury
- The official is seen as a key figure in the investigations into former President Donald Trump
- The inquiries include the Republican businessman's involvement in the Capitol Hill riot and his handling of classified documents after leaving office
Mark Meadows, the last White House Chief of Staff under former President Donald Trump, was found to have testified to a Grand Jury leading a special counsel probe of the Republican businessman.
The official, who is seen as a key figure in the two inquiries related to the former president that special counsel Jack Smith is pursuing. The latter was appointed to oversee the Justice Department's scrutiny of Trump.
Mark Meadows Reportedly Testifies to Grand Jury
Authorities see Meadows as a figure in the two distinct lines of inquiry that Smith is pursuing against the former president. These are Trump's involvement in the Capitol Hill riot, where his supporters stormed the building trying to prevent the certification of Electoral College results, as per the New York Times.
The second probe delves into Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents after he took them to his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office. The Republican businessman is also accused of obstructing the efforts of federal officials to retrieve the sensitive documents from his possession.
Despite Meadows' revealed testimony, it was unclear when he testified or whether investigators questioned him about one or both cases. For months, the people in the former president's orbit have been confused by and wary about Meadows' low profile in the investigations.
Several reports surfaced detailing witnesses coming one after another to face the Grand Jury or have been interviewed by federal investigators. Despite this, the former White House Chief of Staff has kept largely to himself, causing some of Trump's advisers to believe he could be a significant witness in the probes.
Inquiry Into Donald Trump's Misconducts
Meadows' testimony could give investigators key insight into Trump's actions and mental state after the 2020 presidential elections, where he lost to Joe Biden. According to CNN, he could also assist by providing information regarding the former president's actions after he left the White House in January 2021.
The official's attorney, George Terwilliger, said he would not comment on whether or not his client had testified before the Grand Jury. He added that the former White House Chief of Staff is committed to telling the truth wherever he has the legal obligation.
Meadows served as Trump's Chief of Staff as the former president tried to win re-election and was also found to have had a role in trying to discuss the classified documents that the former president took with him to his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Previously, the former White House Chief of Staff refused to testify before the House Select Committee. The latter was responsible for investigating the Capitol Hill riot during the past session of Congress and was subsequently held in contempt for his decision. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to prosecute him, said The Hill.
