By Kristen Holmes, Katelyn Polantz and Hannah Rabinowitz | CNN
According to a source familiar with the matter, Mark Meadows, the former chief of staff of Donald Trump, has testified before a federal grand jury as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s ongoing investigation into the former president. It is unclear as to whether Meadows testified as part of the special counsel’s investigation into Trump’s potential mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House or his investigation into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
George Terwilliger, a lawyer representing Meadows, said in a statement that “Without commenting on whether or not Mr. Meadows has testified before the grand jury or in any other proceeding, Mr. Meadows has maintained a commitment to tell the truth where he has a legal obligation to do so.” A spokesperson for the special counsel’s office declined to comment.
The New York Times was the first to report Meadow’s appearance before the grand jury.
Meadows is considered a critical witness to Smith’s investigation. He was ordered to testify before the grand jury and provide documents after a judge rejected Trump’s claims of executive privilege. His testimony could provide investigators with key insight into the former president’s actions and mental state following the election he lost to Joe Biden, as well as into Trump’s actions after leaving the office.
CNN had previously reported that Meadows, under subpoena, handed over some materials to the Justice Department as part of their investigation.
Smith has focused on a meeting related to Meadows as part of his criminal investigation into Trump’s handling of documents. Two individuals present at a meeting in Bedminster, New Jersey, in July 2021 attended it on behalf of Meadows. At the meeting, Trump acknowledged he held onto a classified Pentagon document about a potential attack on Iran. The meeting was recorded, but the source of the recording is unknown. Although Meadows did not attend the meeting, his testimony and records are significant for multiple investigations around January 6 and the 2020 election.
While Meadows refused to testify in front of the January 6 House select committee, the Justice Department did not charge him with a crime on those grounds. The panel claimed that Meadows appeared to be one of several participants in a criminal conspiracy as part of Trump’s attempt to delay and overturn the results of the 2020 election. Its final report depicts Meadows as an integral part of that effort, as evidenced by the more than 2,000 text messages he turned over to the committee before he ceased cooperating.
This story has been updated with additional information.
