A law firm for former President TrumpDonald TrumpRepublicans fret more than Trump’s impact in Missouri Senate race Jan. 6 panel votes to maintain Meadows in contempt Senate confirms very first Korean-American girl as federal appeals judge Far more‘s ex-chief of workers Mark MeadowsMark MeadowsJan. 6 panel votes to hold Meadows in contempt Meadows texts display Hannity, Don Jr. desired Trump to stop Jan. 6 riot Meadows attorney argues contempt referral would be contrary to legislation A lot more on Monday sent a letter to the Property select committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol arguing that a referral to maintain his consumer in contempt would be “contrary to regulation.”

In a letter obtained by The Hill, Meadows lawyer George J. Terwilliger argued that a “fantastic-religion invocation of executive privilege and testimonial immunity” does not quantity to contempt of Congress, as the committee prepares to vote to hold Meadows in contempt later on Monday.

Previous 7 days, Meadows changed study course and said he would not sit for a deposition with the committee, regardless of his initial willingness to cooperate.

“The contemplated referral would be opposite to regulation for the reason that a great-faith invocation of government privilege and testimonial immunity by a previous senior executive formal is not a violation of 2 U.S. Code § 192,” Terwilliger wrote.

“A referral to the Department of Justice based on such an invocation would ignore the statute’s legislative heritage and historical application, contravene perfectly-founded separation of powers rules, and improperly input a criminal intent to a excellent-faith actor,” the legal professional included.

On Sunday, chairman of the committee Rep. Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonJan. 6 panel votes to keep Meadows in contempt Meadows attorney argues contempt referral would be contrary to legislation Meadows mentioned Nationwide Guard would be present on Jan. 6 to ‘protect pro Trump men and women,’ investigators say Extra (D-Pass up.) shot down suggestions that Meadows could stay clear of a subpoena by way of asserting executive privilege, writing in a report that even although he is a former White Property staffer, he is not entitled to testimonial immunity.

Thompson wrote that even if Meadows had been to have these types of an immunity, the actions that the committee is trying to get information on would tumble exterior of his duties as a White Property official.

The committee has alleged that Meadows communicated with condition officers in an attempt to overturn the benefits of the 2020 presidential election and informed organizers of the “Cease the Steal” rally, which preceded the Capitol assault, that the National Guard would be present on Jan. 6 to protect “professional-Trump” folks.

In his letter, Terwilliger extra that referring a “senior presidential aide” for contempt would be “unwise mainly because it would do excellent harm to the institution of the Presidency, as restraint in the software of the statute about time attests.”

“Mr. Meadows’s selection to drop a deposition is an attempt to comply with his legal obligations as a previous advisor to the president,” the lawyer included.

If the pick committee votes to hold Meadows in contempt, the evaluate would go to the complete Home to vote on whether to refer the scenario to the Office of Justice for doable prosecution. 

Updated at 5:27 p.m.