WASHINGTON — Stephen Miller, a senior adviser to then-President Donald Trump, testified virtually Thursday for more than 8 hours before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
When he was subpoenaed in November, the committee wrote that Miller "participated in efforts to spread false information about alleged voter fraud in the November 2020 election, as well as efforts to encourage state legislatures to alter the outcome of the November 2020 election by appointing alternate slates of electors."
On Thursday, Miller pushed back on the committee at points during his deposition, according to a person who was present. He was “pugnacious” and “cooperative-ish,” this person said.
In particular, Miller refuted allegations that Trump's Jan. 6 speech contained coded language intended to instigate violence and argued with the committee on the topic of voter fraud, according to a person familiar with his testimony. His lawyers also asserted executive privilege several time, this person said.
A spokesperson for the Jan. 6 committee declined to comment. Miller declined NBC News's request to make a statement about his deposition.
Miller filed suit in federal court last month to block the committee from gaining access to his records.
In December, The New York Times reported that Miller was involved in post-election strategy sessions at Trump's campaign headquarters in which political and government officials decided to push the lie that the election was rigged and file lawsuits to back up allegations of fraud.
News of Miller's planned testimony Thursday was first reported by The Associated Press.
