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Topics: Rudy Giuliani, US News, Politics
Cameron Frew
Rudy Giuliani will testify about the deadly Capitol riots under one condition, according to his lawyer.
On 6 January 2021, Donald Trump supporters and QAnon conspiracy theorists stormed the Capitol in Washington DC to prevent Congress from formalising and finalising Joe Biden's victory in the election.
Nine people died in connection with the chaos that day, including four people in the crowds, a police officer who was attacked and four other officers who took their own lives.
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In a speech before his supporters stormed the Capitol, Trump called on them to 'fight like hell' amid his baseless claims that the election was stolen from him.
During this time of major political turbulence, the effects of which are still felt today, the former New York mayor was often by Trump's side, peddling his rhetoric to MAGA crowds.
Prior to the riots, he told the crowd: "If we're wrong, we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat."
The New York bar association previously said these comments were 'intended to encourage Trump supporters unhappy with the election's outcome to take matters into their own hands'.
Giuliani was originally set to testify before the House of Representatives' Select Committee, but he pulled out after he wasn't permitted to record the interview, his lawyer Robert Costello said, Newsweek reports.
He said: "He's willing to talk about anything that is not privileged.
"The only sticking point we've had is recording the interview. Now, that tells me they're more interested in keeping things secret than getting to the so-called truth. If you're interested in the person's testimony, why would you not agree to this?"
While Giuliani is happy to testify, he 'simply doesn't trust' members of the committee, especially Democratic Representative Adam Schiff. He also has concerns that the committee would tamper with his testimony, Costello said.
He added: "If they changed their mind and they said, 'Listen, we'll jointly record the interview,' then we would participate."
The cooperation deal between Giuliani and the committee had been the subject of negotiation for months, and it's unclear if the interview has been rescheduled in line with his demands.
According to The Guardian, spokesperson for the committee said: "Giuliani is an important witness to the conspiracy to overthrow the government and he remains under subpoena.
"If he refuses to comply, the committee will consider all enforcement options."
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