The House Jan. 6 select committee forged new territory with its vote to issue a subpoena to former President Donald Trump for documents and testimony related to role in the Capitol insurrection.
This is the first time a congressional subpoena has been issued to a former president related to ongoing criminal investigations of that individual.
Prior to Trump, only three former presidents received congressional subpoenas: John Quincy Adams, John Tyler and Harry Truman. Only one testified.
In 1846, Adams and Tyler were subpoenaed to provide testimony related to payments made from a presidential contingency account, known as the “secret service fund.” Its purpose was for supporting highly sensitive foreign affairs action. Former Secretary of State Daniel Webster was accused of improperly using money from the fund for his own personal benefit.
The committees issued subpoenas to former presidents Adams and Tyler about their knowledge of how the money was used. Tyler testified to two House select committees established to investigate the charges. Adams provided a deposition only. The House concluded Webster was innocent of the charges.
