Judge denies Trump’s executive privilege request

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled Tuesday to allow a congressional committee investigating the events of Jan. 6 to access records it subpoenaed. Chutkan said Congress’ public interest outweighs former President Donald Trump’s right to keep presidential documents secret. “Presidents are not kings, and Plaintiff is not President,” Chutkan said. The National Archives plans to turn over the requested documents on Friday, but Trump’s lawyers promised to submit an appeal. The case is likely to go to the Supreme Court.

What is the issue? The Jan. 6 committee subpoenaed hundreds of call logs, speech drafts, handwritten notes between Trump and staffers, talking points, and more as it investigates the president’s role in protests that led to people rioting at the U.S. Capitol. Trump requested an injunction to shield the documents, citing executive privilege. Trump’s lawyers argued that the committee is trying to attack the former president and that ruling against him will damage executive privilege for future presidents.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Stew for further details about the legal battle between the committee, Trump, and former advisers.