Capitol insurrection: House Committee reportedly targeting Willard Hotel 'war room' in next slate of subpoenas

The House Committee is moving fast to investigate what transpired behind the scenes that led to the Capitol insurrection on January 6. Following reports of the former president’s so-called “war room” at the Willard Hotel, the House Committee is reportedly zeroing in on the individuals who were part of that room.

Over the weekend, the Guardian reported that the House committee probing the Capitol insurrection is targeting the individuals who were part of twice-impeached former President Donald Trump’s “war room” at the Willard Hotel in Washington DC. The panel’s next slate of subpoenas is targeting around 20 people connected to the room. Among them was conservative lawyer John Eastman, who drafted the infamous memo on how to stage a coup and deny Joe Biden the presidency.

People familiar with the matter told the outlet that the panel is looking to reveal the “centers of gravity” from which Trump and his allies sought to block Congress’ certification of Biden’s win and keep Trump in power. This also follows the announcement made by the panel’s chair Rep. Bennie Thompson, who said he has signed off on 20 subpoenas.

Last week, the Washington Post revealed that the “command center” or “war room” at the hotel was led by Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. Aside from Eastman and Giuliani, the room also included Trump’s former strategist Steve Bannon -- who is already held in contempt by Congress -- former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, and One America News reporter Christina Bobb, who was volunteering for the campaign.

It remains to be seen whether the Justice Department is set on prosecuting Bannon for defying the subpoena served to him by the committee. Bannon has cited being shielded by Trump’s claim of executive privilege.

It should be noted that the White House has waived the former president’s claim of executive privilege and dismantled Bannon’s citing of doing so as he did not work for the Trump administration in the days of the insurrection.

CNN has reported that the DOJ is pushing back on the increasing pressure by lawmakers to convict and prosecute Bannon. The network reported that the DOJ is approaching the case very slowly out of fear that their case against Bannon would be dismantled in the courts.

Critics have also expressed their frustration with Attorney General Merrick Garland for the slow-walking of the prosecution on Bannon as he has the final say on whether the former Trump strategist is to be prosecuted.