(MENAFN) A federal judge has ordered former President Donald Trump's aides, including ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows, to testify before a grand jury in Washington, D.C. The grand jury is investigating Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss ahead of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The ruling comes after Trump's bid to block his aides from speaking to the grand jury on the grounds of executive privilege was denied by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell.
Executive privilege is a legal doctrine that allows for some executive-branch communications to be kept confidential. However, the judge ruled against Trump's argument and ordered Meadows and other aides to testify before the grand jury.
In addition to Meadows, the other aides affected by the ruling are former White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, former national security advisor Robert O'Brien, former senior aide Stephen Miller, former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, former deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli, former assistant Nick Luna, and former White House Presidential Personnel Office director John McEntee.
Trump is expected to appeal the ruling, which was filed in secret because it involves grand jury matters. The ruling was delivered last week, according to ABC News, which first reported the sealed order.
Meadows and other aides were reportedly subpoenaed earlier this year by Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed by the Department of Justice to oversee two Trump-related criminal investigations, including the Jan. 6-centred probe.
The judge's decision marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Jan.6 Capitol riot and the role Trump and his aides played in it. It remains to be seen if Trump's appeal will be successful or if Meadows and the other aides will comply with the order to testify.
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