Former US president Donald Trump
(Picture: REUTERS)Specifics about former President Donald Trump's involvement in the January 6 U.S Capitol attack are being investigated by three federal appeals judges.
The House investigators have been after various documents from Trump which they believe are crucial to understanding how Trump both tried to overthrow the 2020 election and threatened a peaceful transition of power.
A court filing from the National Archives disclosed the documents in question that Trump has been asked to turn over.
“These records all relate to the events on or about Jan. 6, and may assist the Select Committee’s investigation into that day, including what was occurring at the White House immediately before, during and after the Jan. 6 attack,” Justice Department lawyers wrote in the court filing on behalf of the National Archives.
Trump has since sued to block the release of these “sensitive” documents by claiming executive privilege, but Biden officially rejected Trump’s executive privilege request back in October.
While the public should not expect to see these documents in the future, according to Politco, there is a federal law passed in 1978 that has made it so “most White House records of former presidents become eligible for release to the public 12 years after the president in question leaves office.”
The documents that Trump wants to keep hidden include:
Daily presidential diaries
These show what the president does all day - and what he was up to at key moments.
Schedules
Schedules are different from the President's Daily Diary - as it is includes what the president plans to do, not just what he did.
Appointment information
Would show which, if any, senior figures met with him before, during and after the rioting.
Drafts of speeches
This would shine light on every version of the former POTUS’ [Jan. 6] “Save America March” speech and show what made it to the final version, what was cut, or revised.
Correspondence
The processing of all mail, email, and parcels addressed to the President of the United States.
Handwritten notes
“Three handwritten notes concerning the events of [Jan. 6] from [former White House chief of staff Mark] Meadows’ files … listing potential or scheduled briefings and telephone calls concerning the [Jan. 6] certification and other election issues”
Call logs
Thirty pages of “daily presidential diaries, schedules, appointment information showing visitors to the White House, activity logs, call logs and switchboard shift-change checklists showing calls to the president and vice-president, all specifically for or encompassing [Jan. 6]”
Talking points
Binders of talking points from former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany “principally relating to allegations of voter fraud, election security, and other topics concerning the 2020 election”
Memoranda & Email chains
“Associated e-mails from the Office of the Executive Clerk, which relate to the select committee’s interest in the White House’s response to the Capitol attack”
