Trump Upset With Jared Kushner After His ‘Helpful’ Testimony To Jan. 6 Committee

The House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol interviewed its first Trump family member and the highest-ranking official from the previous administration, meeting with Jared Kushner on Thursday for more than six hours.

The panel met virtually with Kushner — Donald Trump‘s son-in-law and a former top White House adviser — after he voluntarily agreed to speak with the committee, which Trump has accused of conducting a “witch hunt.”

The former president was reportedly unhappy with Kushner’s cooperation after several of his aides have risked jail time by refusing to testify.

Kushner’s meeting came two months after the panel asked Ivanka Trump to appear before the committee voluntarily. Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), said Ivanka Trump and the committee are engaged in conversations, but no final plan has been reached on her appearance.
“The expectation is that it will take place, as to when I can’t tell you right now, I know we are engaging her as a committee,” Thompson said on Wednesday.

Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Virginia) said the conversation with Kushner was “helpful.” She noted that Kushner was able to substantiate information and provide his take on different reports on the January 6 attack.

Luria said it’s valuable to hear firsthand accounts from witnesses such as Kushner directly.
“I think that the committee really appreciates hearing information directly from people who have relevant facts about January 6, and the fact that Jared Kushner came as a witness is helpful to building the story of our investigation,” Luria said.

Kushner was traveling back from Saudi Arabia on January 6, 2021, but Thompson said he believed that he could help the committee understand more about the events that led up to that day.
“We think because he was an integral part of the administration, it’s, I think, important for us to find out if he knew anything about the planning before January 6 and to get it from him,” Thompson said.
“We have an excellent staff, and staff has been actively engaging a number of witnesses, including individuals or their attorneys and Kushner’s attorney will be the same,” Thompson told NPR.

The White House said it had waived executive privilege claims for Kushner and Ivanka Trump, allowing them to share specific details with the panel.