Members of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol are expected to discuss whether or not they will serve formal requests for former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence to appear before them.
The committee, which will release its final report later this fall, announced that it would meet on Tuesday to address several questions that still loom, including surrounding the former commander in chief.
CNN reported that multiple sources have said the committee doesn't expect Trump or Pence to testify, but some members think the invitations should be given.
If the two were to appear before them, it would mark a rare moment in United States history.
"How do you create a historic record without including formal requests for the two top witnesses," one source knowledgeable about the committee's work shared with CNN.
Some conversations have already begun, as Pence's legal counsel has had on and off discussions with the committee, with not much changing, suggesting he would not testify, a source told CNN.
Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) has shared that he would like to hear from Pence and would be welcome to Trump's testimony. However, he has noted that the former president would need to follow their terms.
Other committee members have also shared their thoughts on the possible testimonies. Rep Zoe Lofgren (D-Cali.) shared that she "would like to hear from both of them." Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) shared that he could see the two summoned on criminal referrals.
"I tend to think that you will see us seriously have that debate, and I wouldn't be surprised if we do criminal referrals," Kinzinger told CNN. "I do think that as we come to the end of the investigation, we've already presented a lot to say there is some criminal culpability here."
The Justice Department has issued over 30 subpoenas for people in Trump's circle as it completes its own probe into the events of Jan. 6.
Among those being called are several officials from Trump's campaign and political fundraisings, like Bill Stepien and Sean Dollman.
While it is still unknown what decision the committee will come to on Trump and Pence, members will decide the plans for their next round of hearings ahead of the final report expected in December.
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