Appeals court rejects Trumps motion to block Mark Meadows former aides from testifying in special counsel probe

Washington – A federal appeals court in Washington has denied former President Donald Trump’s attempt to shield his one-time chief of staff Mark Meadows and other top aides from testifying before a grand jury in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s actions around the 2020 presidential election and his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Trump had appealed D.C. District Chief Judge Beryl Howell’s rejection in March of his claims of executive privilege over the testimony of his former advisers. Howell’s decision had compelled a group of aides to testify in the probe. The sealed case…