An attempt to bar the Jan. 6. committee from investigating White House records was submitted and then rejected within a two-hour window.
Former President Donald Trump filed an emergency request on Monday to bar the National Archives from sending sensitive records to Jan. 6 committee investigators.
Within two hours, District Judge Tanya Chutkan had reviewed and rejected the claim, contending that the request was legally defective and “premature.”
JAN. 6 RIOT COMMITTEE SUBPOENAS FLYNN AND 5 OTHER TRUMP ALLIES
Chutkan is already considering an earlier request submitted by Trump to prevent Congress from investigating his White House records. After President Joe Biden declined to assert executive privilege to bar the information, Trump’s legal team filed the request.
The second request, filed by Trump’s attorney Jesse Binnall, asked the district judge to approve an “administrative stay” of her ruling before she issued it. This filing was an attempt by Binnall to allow Trump a chance to appeal her decision before the National Archives fulfilled Congress’ request for documentation on Friday, Nov. 12.
“This case should be decided after thorough but expeditious consideration pursuant to America’s judicial review process, both before this Court and on appeal, not by a race against the clock,” Binnall wrote.
Chutkan, in her brief decision on Monday, said she would consider Binnall’s request for a stay after she issues a ruling, which she says will arrive “expeditiously.”
However, Chutkan also notes that federal rules only allow a stay “While an appeal is pending.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Chutkan heard arguments over Trump’s suit last week and said she would rule quickly on the request. The district judge questioned Trump’s request, noting that both Congress and the current White House are in “harmony” about the decision to release them.
She also stated that Trump, as a former president, no longer has authority over the legislative or executive branch.
The National Archives said that it would fulfill Congress’ request for information by Friday, Nov. 12, unless a court intervened. This request includes the release of 1600 White House documents identified as relevant to the Jan. 6 investigation.
