Justice Department subpoenas dozens of Trump aides in apparent escalation of investigation, according to reports
Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, according to The New York Times and CNN.
The flurry of subpoenas suggested the investigation, which is separate from the seizure of Trump administration documents from Mar-a-Lago, is picking up pace.
At least two Trump aides, Boris Epshteyn and Mark Roman, had their phones seized as evidence, according to the Times. Epshteyn declined comment.
The subpoenas seek information about the Trump campaign’s plan to organize alternate slates of electors in states President Joe Biden won. Epshteyn had copied on emails in late 2020 from Trump lawyer John Eastman, who developed the plan.
Eastman has already been subpoenaed and had his phone seized. Eastman earlier refused to answer questions from the House panel investigating the Capitol attack or a grand jury in Georgia based on his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Another subpoena recipient was Bernard Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner, who coordinated the investigation of claims of voter fraud with Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani.
Former Attorney General Bill Barr has testified to the House panel that the department found no evidence to support the Trump campaign’s claims of widespread fraud.former Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien and Sean Dollman, the campaign’s chief financial officer, according to CNN.
The Justice Department declined comment on the subpoenas.
The investigation is separate from the seizure of Trump administration documents, which included dozens of classified records, from Mar-a-Lago. In that probe, federal investigators said they were looking for evidence of violations of the Espionage Act for mishandling national defense documents or of obstruction of justice.
More:Will Trump or his allies face charges over Jan. 6? Legal experts explain hurdles DOJ faces
Steve Bannon, who was convicted of contempt, and former trade adviser Peter Navarro, who awaits trial.