On Thursday morning Donald Trump announced another round of appointments to his administration, with one notable candidate linked to the president-elect's first impeachment at the beginning of 2020.
As the third day of Senate hearings of Trump's Cabinet appointments recommenced, the incoming president wrote on Truth Social, "It is my honor to announce that Wells Griffith will be the next Under Secretary of Energy at the United States Department of Energy. During my First Term, Wells served as the Senior Advisor to the CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Senior Director for Energy and Environment on the National Security Council, as well as Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the Department of Energy."
He then added, "Wells will now work with our highly respected Secretary of Energy Nominee, Chris Wright, to DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and unleash American Energy Dominance. Congratulations Wells!"
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Despite his obscure position working for Trump before, Griffith was notable as one of several members of that administration who defied a House subpoena as investigators looked into Trump's attempts to blackmail Ukraine officials which eventually led to charges in 2020 of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
According to a CNN report, Wells defied the House committee investigators’ request and was a no-show on Nov. 5.
According to a congressional report, investigator Dan Goldman, now a member of the House representing New York, stated, "We're on the record. This is the deposition of Preston Wells Griffith. It is after 9 o'clock in the morning. The subpoena for the witness was to appear at 9 o'clock. The witness is not here. "
The congressional report added, "Some of that evidence has revealed that Mr. Griffith was a participant witness to misconduct, including potentially that of the President, including his participation in the July 10 meeting at the White House where it was communicated to Ukrainian government officials that a coveted meeting at the White House for President Zelensky was conditioned upon the Ukrainians pursuing the political investigations being pushed by President Trump and Mr. Giuliani."
Bloomberg reported on Dec. 6, 2019 Griffith was leaving his job to take a position with Overseas Private Investment Corp. Trump's impeachment trial began on January 16, 2020 with him walking after fifty-two GOP senators voted against the charge of abuse of power, (Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah being the exception) and all fifty-three voted against the charge of obstruction of Congress.
