Jared and Ivanka Kushner
Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are among those that BBC is seeking to subpoena as part of its lawsuit from President Donald Trump, Politico reported on Friday.
Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation alleging that the broadcaster unfairly edited or presented remarks he made in his speech on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump argues that the BBC’s programming created a misleading impression that he directly encouraged violence and that it significantly damaged his reputation.
The BBC has defended its journalism, saying its reporting and documentary coverage were based on the public record and protected by free-expression principles. Unlike other media outlets sued by Trump, the BBC is refusing to settle, and it's moving forward with a defense, including seeking documents and interviews with Trump advisors.
According to the BBC's lawyers, the Trump family members “without question have personal knowledge” about the president's intentions when making the speech.
BBC lawyers explain that testimony collected by the House Select Committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack found that Kushner, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr. were present at the speech on the Ellipse. It was also reported that Kushner drafted a statement for Trump condemning the violence.
The subpoenas are asking for deposition testimony as well as documents, Politico said.
The BBC attempted to serve the subpoenas on Jared and Ivanka, but was blocked by the U.S. Secret Service.
Troy Epstein, lawyer for the Secret Service, claimed, “The United States Secret Service, as an agency of the United States Government, is not authorized to accept service of these subpoenas for these individuals, nor can we opine on how you all may best facilitate or effectuate service of these subpoenas."
The same thing happened earlier this year with Trump Jr. In a footnote for one of the court filings, a reference emphasized the word "prevented" when saying the Secret Service blocked the subpoena service.
"Ironically, the government complains about the subpoena to Mr. Trump Jr. even though the government itself – specifically, the U.S. Secret Service – has to date prevented Defendant from serving that subpoena on Mr. Trump Jr.," court documet filed in July said.
The Secret Service protects all of Trump's five adult children, as mandated by Department of Homeland Security regulations. It does not have the legal authority to interfere with subpoenas or any legal matters.
Trump sued the BBC in a South Florida court district.