Jan. 6 committee releases transcript of Kelli Ward deposition
The U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection released 34 transcripts on Wednesday of witness testimony from various depositions. That included the testimony of Arizona Republican Party chairwoman Kelli Ward, who investigators have alleged “aided a coup attempt.”
Ward was subpoenaed for a deposition in March and ordered to produce records detailing her activities leading up to the events of Jan 6.
She attempted to block the committee from obtaining phone records, claiming there were several violations with the order, including a breach of constitutional rights. The Supreme Court eventually allowed the House committee to obtain her records.
The transcript revealed exchanges between Ward, her lawyers and members of the committee. Ward, with the advice of her attorneys, chose to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 250 times.
Committee members inquired about several subjects, including text messages Ward had with then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and social media posts calling to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election. Ward did not respond to those inquiries, instead citing her Fifth Amendment rights.
Arizona resident Charlie Kirk, a far-right conservative activist and founder of the group Turning Point USA, also testified before the committee. He invoked his Fifth Amendment rights as he responded to questions as well.
The committee released its final report on the Jan. 6 insurrection on Thursday.
