Dems 'Go to Court' if Trump Tries To Run out the Clock on Subpoena: Hoyer

Democratic Representative Steny Hoyer has said Democrats could "go to court" and compel former President Donald Trump to testify before the House of Representatives Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack.

Hoyer, who is House majority leader, told Reverend Al Sharpton on the latter's MSNBC show Sunday that Trump would be treated like "any other citizen that refuses to testify."

The Select Committee voted unanimously to issue a subpoena compelling the former president to testify under oath, but Trump may choose to fight the subpoena in court.

Sharpton mentioned to Hoyer that two members of the committee—Adam Kinzinger and Stephanie Murphy—said that the panel "has yet to determine its next steps if Donald Trump does not comply with its subpoena."

"What can congressional Democrats do if the former president tries to simply run out the clock of this subpoena, hoping Republicans take Congress in November?" Sharpton asked.

"Well, it's very difficult because time is short, but we're gonna treat him just as we would any other citizen that refuses to testify: go to court and ask that that individual be held in contempt and ordered to testify," Hoyer replied.

"A former president is not above the law any more than the president is above the law."

Sharpton pressed Hoyer, saying: "So Democrats are prepared to go to court and ask for the subpoena to be enforced, if that becomes necessary?"

"Rev, I think we ... from my standpoint, I haven't talked to the committee about it, I don't want to speak for the committee," Hoyer said.

"They obviously don't to make a judgment until they know for sure what actions former President Trump is going to take, but yes, I think that is an action which, from my standpoint, ought to be taken."

Newsweek has asked former President Trump's office for comment.

Trump has not said whether he will comply with the subpoena or seek to challenge it. In a response to the subpoena last week, the former president blasted the Select Committee as well as repeating unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

"Despite very poor television ratings, the Unselect Committee has perpetuated a Show Trial the likes of which this Country has never seen before. There is no Due Process, no Cross-Examination, no 'real' Republican members, and no legitimacy since you do not talk about Election Fraud or not calling up the troops," Trump wrote.

If Trump refuses to comply with the subpoena, he could potentially face charges of contempt of Congress. Former White House adviser Steve Bannon was charged by the Department of Justice with contempt of Congress for refusing to obey subpoenas from the committee. He was convicted in July and is currently awaiting sentencing.

Similarly, former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro is awaiting trial on charge of contempt of Congress.