Former Trump campaign director Bill Stepien will not testify Monday before the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot over a “family emergency,” the panel announced.
Leading the news: A well-known source in Stepien’s mind told Jonathan Swan of Axios that he was quoted but did not want to testify and could hardly be considered a “friend” witness.
Current status: Instead, Stepien’s lawyer “will appear and make a statement in the record,” according to the panel. The committee will also show images of his recorded deposition instead of his testimony, Axios confirmed.
- Two well-known sources confirmed to Axios that Stepien’s wife entered in part.
What we’re seeing: Monday’s hearing will focus on President Trump’s “big lie”: his proclamation of victory in the 2020 presidential election, despite knowing he didn’t have the numbers to win.
Other people expected to testify include:
- Byung J. “BJay” Pak, the former U.S. attorney appointed by Trump in Atlanta who abruptly resigned the day before the Capitol riot.
- Former Fox News editor Chris Stirewalt.
- Election lawyer Benjamin Ginsberg and former Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt.
Go deeper: who will testify at the second hearing of the committee on January 6
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional details.