Steve Bannon among four Trump allies hit with subpoenas in Capitol riot probe

Four former members of Donald Trump's administration have been subpoenaed to appear before the US House of Representatives Select Committee that is investigating the deadly 6 January riot.

Steve Bannon talking to reporters in Washington on Jan. 7, 2019. Source: Kydpl Kyodo

The US House of Representatives Select Committee investigating the deadly 6 January riot at the Capitol has subpoenaed four former members of Donald Trump's administration, including Mark Meadows and Steve Bannon, the panel's chairman says.

Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and former Defense Department official Kash Patel were also subpoenaed and instructed to produce materials and appear for depositions, committee chairman Bennie Thompson said in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Meadows, a former congressman, served as Mr Trump's White House chief of staff. Mr Bannon was a White House adviser to Mr Trump.

The four could not be reached for immediate comment.

A mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on 6 January as Congress was meeting to certify Democrat Joe Biden's election victory, delaying that process for several hours as then-Vice President Mike Pence, members of Congress, staff and journalists fled from rioters.

Nearly 600 people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

It was the worst violence at the seat of the US government since the British invasion during the War of 1812.

Mr Thompson said Mr Meadows reportedly communicated with state and federal officials as part of an effort to overturn the 2020 election or prevent Mr Biden’s certification.

Mr Meadows was also reportedly in communication with organisers of the 6 January rally, Mr Thompson said.

In a letter to Mr Bannon, Mr Thompson noted that he had been involved with multiple conversations about persuading members of Congress to block certification of Mr Trump's election defeat.

Rioters loyal to then-President Donald Trump outside of the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 Source: FR159526 AP

"You are quoted as stating, on Jan. 5, 2021, that 'all hell is going to break loose tomorrow,'" Mr Thompson wrote.

"Accordingly, the select committee seeks both documents and your deposition testimony."

Mr Bannon left the White House in August 2017 after eight months but stayed in contact with Mr Trump.

Mr Thompson said Mr Meadows and Mr Scavino had been instructed to appear for depositions on 15 October and Mr Bannon and Mr Patel on 14 October.