Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he’d consider signing off on a subpoena if former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman decided he needed one for his 2020 election probe.
Former President Trump is pressing Vos to support efforts by GOP Rep. Janel Brandtjen, who has issued subpoenas to Brown and Milwaukee county officials. Those appear to need the speaker’s backing to carry any legal weight.
Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, announced the subpoenas a week ago. But Leg Council has issued two memos stating a legislative subpoena requires the signature of the presiding officer of that chamber and the chief clerk to compel testimony and the production of materials as well as the possibility of a penalty for failing to comply.
Vos, R-Rochester, didn’t comment directly on Brandtjen’s efforts in his latest statement. He hasn’t commented on Brandtjen’s efforts publicly since she announced the subpoenas a week ago.
Meanwhile, Gableman over the past week has traveled to Arizona to view an effort by Senate Republicans to examine ballots from the 2020 election. He also attended a symposium this week put on by My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell in South Dakota. Both efforts have been derided for breaking protocols and engaging in conspiracy theories.
Late yesterday afternoon, Trump issued a statement praising Brandtjen as “a strong and great leader.” He also said, “All eyes are on Wisconsin as they begin their election audit. Hopefully Republican Speaker Robin Vos has the integrity and strength Wisconsin needs to support Rep. Brandtjen’s efforts. Our Country is counting on it!”
Vos originally hired Gableman earlier this summer to lead a review of the 2020 election. Late last month, the speaker announced he was granting Gableman the authority to hire more full-time investigators and named him a “special counsel” after two part-time investigators originally hired to be part of the probe quit.
“The day after we appointed Justice Gableman, President Trump praised the choice,” Vos said in response to Trump’s comment yesterday afternoon. “If Justice Gableman determines that subpoenas are necessary to get information, of course, we will look into making sure those can happen.”
