House Impeachment Managers Ask Trump to Testify Under Oath

(NEWSMAX) House impeachment managers are asking former President Donald Trump  to provide testimony under oath about his conduct before the violent breach of the Capitol in rioting on Jan. 6.

In a letter to Trump Thursday, lead Impeachment Manager Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., asked Trump to provide testimony under oath, either before or during the Senate impeachment trial, about his conduct on the day of the attack on the Capitol.

The letter says he must explain why he and his lawyers have disputed key factual allegations at the center of the case.

“In light of your disputing these factual allegations, I write to invite you to provide testimony under oath, either before or during the Senate impeachment trial, concerning your conduct on January 6, 2021. We would propose that you provide your testimony (of course including cross-examination) as early as Monday, February 8, 2021, and not later than Thursday, February 11, 2021. We would be pleased to arrange such testimony at a mutually convenient time and place,” the letter says.

Raskin wrote that if Trump refuses to testify, his refusal will be used against him in the trial – a similar argument put forth by House Democrats in last year’s impeachment trial, when many Trump officials ignored subpoenas.

“Indeed, whereas a sitting president might raise concerns about distraction from their official duties, that concern is obviously inapplicable here,” Raskin wrote.

The impeachment trial of Trump, the first U.S. president to face such a trial twice, is expected to begin next week.

Trump, who has argued that he lost the presidential election due to rampant electoral fraud, a charge he has continued to tout throughout the impeachment, urged supporters to fight at a rally before the storming of the Capitol. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died during the riot.

A Trump adviser did not immediately return a message seeking comment about the managers’ letter.

This report contains material from Reuters and The Associated Press.