January 6 Committee Talking With Donald Trump's Legal Team Regarding His Capitol Riot Testimony

The January 6 committee investigating the Capitol riot is having discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump's legal team regarding his possible testimony.

Rep. Liz Cheney, the January 6 committee vice chair, confirmed those developments during a discussion with PBS journalist Judy Woodruff at Cleveland State University on Tuesday.

Cheney noted that the panel is taking the matter "very seriously," adding that it is not a "situation where the committee is going to put itself at the mercy" of the former president when it comes to his attempts "to create a circus."

Trump has not publicly announced whether or not he will be facing the January 6 committee for a deposition.

Sources familiar with the former president's thinking said that Trump told advisers he would welcome a live appearance before the panel.

Trump's lawyer, David Warrington, said on the day the subpoena was issued that they would "review and analyze it," and would respond as appropriate to the "unprecedented action."

Cheney said that she thinks Trump has a "legal obligation to testify." However, she said that that "doesn't always carry weight" with the former president.

January 6 Committee Seeking Donald Trump's Testimony

Cheney described the committee's preferences for Trump's testimony, saying that it will be under oath and will be done possibly over multiple days.

The panel subpoenaed Trump on October 21 seeking various documents and for Trump to present himself for an interview under oath.

Committee member Adam Kizinger, a Republican, said he thinks there will be a negotiation if Trump were to present himself in front of the panel.

Trump continued attacks on the panel while alleging more false claims about the 2020 election results, instead of answering whether he would follow the subpoena to testify.

It remains unclear how cooperative Trump's legal team has been, with the former president's spokesperson yet to respond on the matter.

The January 6 committee will conclude its work by the end of the year and will release a report on its findings and recommendations to Congress.

Donald Trump Subpoena

The subpoena demanded Trump to turn over records of all January 6-related calls and texts sent or received, including communications with members of Congress, as well as communications with the far-right Proud Boys, one of the extremist groups that stormed the Capitol.

The Guardian noted that the former president was also required to hand over documents by November 4 and testify on November 14 about interactions with key advisers, particularly those who have asserted their fifth amendment right against self-incrimination.

The panel's leaders noted in the subpoena that the evidence shows Trump knew the activity was illegal.

The subpoena added that it was not the first time that a former president had been subpoenaed, adding that several former presidents have testified to Congress.

Meanwhile, Trump has invoked his fifth-amendment right against self-incrimination more than 400 times in a deposition in a fraud lawsuit against him.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Jan. 6 committee votes to subpoena Trump - from ABC News