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William Stepien (r.) With Donald Trump (2020)
Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP
Who is responsible for the violent escalation in Washington on January 6th?
This question is to clarify the committee investigating the storming of the US Capitol.
Now the committee has summoned William Stepien, the campaign manager of then President Donald Trump.
In addition, the former high-ranking Trump adviser Jason Miller and the former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn will also be available to answer questions from MPs, as the House Committee said on Monday.
The summonses and three other people from Trump's environment at the time are also expected to present a number of documents.
Trump supporters stormed the US Congress on January 6th.
Five people were killed, including a police officer.
The committee of inquiry must bring to light "every detail" of their efforts to sabotage the election result, said chairman Bennie Thompson.
It must be clarified with whom the people in the White House and in Congress were in contact and what they connect with the protests that led to the forcible storming of the Capitol, he said.
The committee had already summoned Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon.
But this refused to cooperate.
Trump himself wants to prevent Bannon and several other former advisors from making a statement.
The ex-president and his lawyers argued as follows: Trump's communication with the consultants and the relevant documents are protected by executive privileges and the protection of the relationship between lawyer and client and should therefore not be made public.
Bannon refuses - justice has to decide
The House of Representatives, which was controlled by the Democrats, decided to allow criminal proceedings against Bannon for disregarding Congress.
The decision on criminal proceedings now rests with the Ministry of Justice.
Bannon is suspected of having prior knowledge of plans for violent protests.
Trump had to face impeachment proceedings for the attack on the Capitol, because he had previously incited his supporters in a speech.
In the end, however, he was acquitted with the votes of his own party in the Senate.
For Trump it was the second impeachment procedure.
Despite all the scandals, he is considered the favorite for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.
jok / dpa