The BBC has initiated legal efforts to compel testimony from members of Donald Trump’s family as part of a lawsuit involving its investigative program, Panorama. Legal representatives for the broadcaster contend that these family members hold critical, firsthand information regarding the former president’s mindset and specific intentions surrounding the speech he delivered near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

This legal maneuver is part of a broader effort by the BBC to gather evidence for its case. While the BBC maintains that the testimony is necessary to establish the facts surrounding the events of that day, the move marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings. The request for subpoenas suggests that the broadcaster believes the family members were privy to private discussions or strategic planning that could clarify the context of the January 6 speech. As of now, the legal team for the Trump family has not publicly detailed their strategy for responding to these specific requests, and the court has yet to rule on whether the subpoenas will be granted. The case remains in a preliminary stage, with the BBC focused on securing access to witnesses they deem essential to their legal argument.