“Long-standing precedent and practice hold that the separation of powers prohibits Congress from compelling a President to testify before it,” Trump’s lawyer, David A. Warrington, said in a statement announcing Trump’s intentions. He said Trump had “engaged with the commission in a good-faith effort to resolve these concerns, consistent with Executive Branch prerogatives and the separation of powers,” but said the commission “continues to pursue a policy course, leaving President Trump with no choice but to involve the third branch, the judicial branch, in this executive-legislative divide.” The committee voted to subpoena Trump in its final hearing before the midterm elections and formally did so in a letter last month, demanding testimony from the former president. Committee members claim that Trump is “personally orchestrating” a multilateral effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. They said Trump should testify, either on Capitol Hill or via video conference, “beginning on or about” Nov. 14 and continuing for several days if necessary. The letter also outlined a sweeping request for documents, including personal communications between Trump and members of Congress, as well as extremist groups. The lawsuit comes as Trump is expected to launch a third presidential campaign next week.
