Longtime Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone appeared before a congressional committee investigating the January 6th attack on the Capitol on Friday but said he refused to answer questions.
Speaking to reporters after his closed-door appearance, Mr Stone said he invoked his constitutional protection against self-incrimination.
Earlier this week, the committee investigating the Capitol insurrection released texts sent to Mr Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows by Donald Trump Jnr before the House of Representatives voted to hold Mr Meadows in contempt of Congress after he ceased to cooperate with the investigation.
“We need an Oval Office address,” Mr Trump Jnr texted, the committee said, as his father’s supporters were breaking into the Capitol, sending lawmakers running for their lives and interrupting the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
“He has to lead now. It has gone too far and gotten out of hand.”
Mr Trump Jnr added: “He’s got to condemn this sh*t ASAP.” In response to one of Mr Trump Jnr’s texts, Mr Meadows said: “I’m pushing it hard. I agree.”
The move on Tuesday is the first time the chamber has voted to hold a former member in contempt since the 1830s.
The near-party line 222-208 vote is the second time the special committee has sought to punish a witness for defying a subpoena.
The vote is the latest show of force by the panel as it investigates the worst attack on the Capitol in more than 200 years.
Lawmakers on the panel are determined to get answers quickly, and in doing so reassert the congressional authority that eroded while former president Donald Trump was in office.
The two Republican votes — Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, who serve on the committee — in favour of the resolution came after nine Republicans voted to hold former Trump ally Steve Bannon in contempt in October.
