The House committee investigating the insurrection of the Capitol on January 6 on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to deny former President Donald Trump’s request to shield his White House records.  The committee said it believes that the documents might shed light on the events leading up to and including that day.

“Although the facts are unprecedented, this case is not a difficult one,” the committee’s lawyers said in the filing, adding, “This Court’s review is unwarranted, and the petition for a writ of certiorari should be denied.”

Also read: Who Is Jared Schmeck, Joe Biden’s ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ prank caller?

Only last week, Trump had asked the apex court to block the National Archives from turning over records, claiming  executive privilege. 

The committee lawyers said that if the court “nonetheless believes” a review is warranted, “the Congressional Respondents respectfully request that the case be resolved expeditiously.”

The nine-member congressional committee is investigating the on-day events like Trump’s call to the crowd to ‘fight like hell’ and the efforts leading to the day. 

Also read: US to respond decisively to any Ukraine invasion: Biden warns Putin

Trump has attacked the committee’s work and continued to promote the idea of a fraudulent election, even though Joe Biden’s victory was certified by all 50 states. 

In suing to block the National Archives from turning over documents, Trump’s lawyers have said the committee has “no legitimate legislative purpose” for seeking them and granting access to the records would damage executive privilege for future presidents.

Also read: Why are so many flights being cancelled in the US?

The committee says the documents, including presidential diaries, visitor logs, speech drafts and handwritten notes, are vital to its investigation into the deadly riot at the Capitol aimed at overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The Supreme Court could decline to hear the appeal. Such action would mean the ruling December 9 by the federal appeals court is the final word on the matter.

With inputs from the Associated Press