Justice sends mixed messages on subpoenaing Trump’s inner circle

The Justice Department’s decision not to charge former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows or deputy communications director Dan Scavino with contempt of Congress is sending mixed messages about the extent those in the president’s inner circle can flout lawmaker subpoenas.

The Department of Justice sent a letter to the House saying it would not pursue contempt charges against the two men even as it filed charges Friday against Peter Navarro, a former White House economic adviser, for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

It’s a decision that has left many wishing the DOJ would be more transparent in its rationale for charging some in Trump’s inner circle, but not others.