Page:CTRL0000034609 - Transcribed Interview of Kashyap Pramod Patel, (December 9, 2021).pdf/155

155 justification for keeping the subpoena in place is gone, in my judgment.

And I just don't think it's fair. It's not fair to keep Mr. Patel under the coercive power of potential of being subpoenaed and dragged back in here, given what he's done here. It's not good for the committee, not good for us. When you have a cooperative witness and you keep their thumb on their neck, it's not right.

There's no thumb on anyone's neck.

Mr. Sofer. Well, the subpoena—you know, you know this as well as I do, that a subpoena, for anybody, is a—you know, you said this a couple times—a big deal.

. Yeah.

Mr. Sofer. It's a big deal. Particularly in this particular context, when the whole world is watching it, it's highly problematic. It doesn't make him feel good, it doesn't make us feel good, it probably doesn't make you feel good.

I'd just ask you to reconsider and think about it.

Yeah.

Mr. Sofer. You don't have to answer the question now, but please think about the fact that we came in here in good faith, answered all these questions, did not assert a privilege, and are simply requesting that the subpoena be withdrawn or considered to be fulfilled.

If you find some need at some later date, as far as I know, there's nothing that stops you from issuing another subpoena.

Yeah. I completely understand. I don't—staff doesn't have the ability unilaterally to withdraw the subpoena. I will convey that request—

Mr. Sofer. I appreciate that.

—to Chairman Thompson and the committee. But I can represent that it is certainly not their intention to keep anybody's—the