Appeals Court Denies Trump’s Motion to Block Former Aides from Testifying in Special Counsel Probe

A federal appeals court in Washington has denied former President Donald Trump’s attempt to shield his one-time chief of staff Mark Meadows and other top aides from testifying before a grand jury in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s actions around the 2020 presidential election and his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.

Trump had appealed D.C. District Chief Judge Beryl Howell’s rejection in March of his claims of executive privilege over the testimony of his former advisers. Howell’s decision had compelled a group of aides to testify in the probe.

The sealed case appeared on the appeals court’s federal docket in late March with little identifying information, followed by a sealed emergency request on Monday that the appeals court intervene before the aides were called to testify. Tuesday’s order — from Judges Patricia Millett, Robert Wilkins, and Gregory Katsas — indicated that the request had been denied. Grand jury proceedings remain shielded from public view under federal law.

Read the source article at cbsnews.com