Capitol riot committee to subpoena Trump lawyer who authored coup memo: report

A pro-Trump lawyer who authored the so-called "coup memo" on overturning the results of the 2020 election is expected to face a subpoena from the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol insurrection.

"It will happen," House Select Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson told the Washington Post on Tuesday, referring to a subpoena of Eastman.

Eastman reportedly told the newspaper last week that he had not been contacted by the committee, but a person familiar with the panel's work disputed that claim, saying investigators have been in contact with him.

"This person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations, added that a subpoena would be avoidable if Eastman cooperated with the committee's investigation voluntarily," the Post reports. "The committee is expected to issue additional subpoenas to other witnesses in the days ahead."

In addition to Eastman's testimony, the committee has requested documents and communications related to Eastman's legal advice.

Eastman's memo, described as "an instruction manual for a coup," reportedly offered Vice President Mike Pence a detailed six-point plan to declare the 2020 election invalid and give the presidency to Trump. The memo served as the basis of an Oval Office meeting between Eastman, Trump and Pence on Jan. 4.

Eastman has recently tried to distance himself from the memo, telling the National Review last week that it didn't represent his legal advice.

In addition to crafting the memo, Eastman "played a key role in the legal operation that was run out of a 'command center' at the Willard Hotel in Washington in the days and hours leading up to Jan. 6," the Post reports.

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