47 subpoenas

Now this could get interesting.

Trump’s inner circle subpoenaed by BBC in US libel lawsuit

The British Broadcasting Corporation issued a wave of subpoenas to dozens of members of President Donald Trump’s inner circle as part of its defense in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit, raising fresh questions about Trump’s speech before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

The BBC in recent weeks sent 47 subpoenas to members of Trump’s family and Cabinet, as well as the Department of Justice and other federal agencies, seeking information about the president’s intent and state of mind before the speech. Recipients include Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and Michael Flynn.

If they lie about it, they could get in very big trouble.

In a joint filing Wednesday in federal court in Florida, lawyers for Trump and the BBC requested a hearing on the subpoenas. Trump argues the demands are part of a “fishing expedition,” while the BBC says Trump’s lawsuit opened the door to the requests for information about his conduct.

To win the case, Trump “must prove that he did not foment or incite the January 6 Capitol riot,” the BBC said. “Plaintiff has placed that question directly at issue in bringing this libel lawsuit – he cannot now prevent defendants from seeking records that would shed light on his true knowledge, intent, and state of mind in delivering his speech.”

…

Kevin O’Brien, a former federal prosecutor and defense attorney who isn’t involved in the case, said the BBC strategy appears to be a “smart tactic” to refocus the dispute back onto Trump’s conduct and the events of Jan. 6.

“Of course, enforcing 47 subpoenas, with all those depositions and motions to compel, is an expensive proposition, and time-consuming too,” he said.

But worth it. Very worth it.