Jan. 6 committee votes unanimously to subpoena Trump

The congressional committee investigating the rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump on Thursday.

The committee presented witnesses and evidence meant to tie Trump directly to the violence at the capital before voting to call him to testify.

"We are obligated to seek answers directly from the man who set this all in motion. And every American is entitled to those answers so we can act now to protect our Republic," said Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the vice chair of the committee.

The subpoena asked for testimony under oath from the former president as well as documents relating to the attack.

"We just voted unanimously to subpoena Donald Trump," tweeted Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois. "Our democracy demands it. Our constitution demands it. The truth demands it."

The committee presented evidence in support of its contention that Trump knew he had lost the election but persisted in seeking to stay in power. Among that evidence was a secret order to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Somalia days after the election. Testimony from Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, claimed that Trump wanted to leave the problem up "to the next guy."

Among those critical of the subpoena was Republican Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona.

"The illegitimate January 6 Committee's vote to subpoena President Trump is a political hatchet job read by a political hatchet committee," tweeted Biggs.

"This committee is illegitimately formed, in violation of House rules, and is organized to search and destroy perceived political enemies," he added.

The committee is expected to issue a final report in December before it shuts down in January.

Here's more about the Jan. 6 vote:

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