WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Committee investigating the January 6, 2021 US Capitol attack made several criminal referrals to the Department of Justice against former President Donald Trump.
“We propose the committee advancing referrals where the gravity of the specific offense, the severity of its actual harm and the centrality of the offender to the overall design of the unlawful scheme to overthrow the election,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D- MD).
The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 US Captiol attack approved four criminal referrals for Trump to the DOJ: Obstruction of an official proceeding; Conspiracy to defraud the United States; Conspiracy to make a false statement; “incite”, “assist” or “aid or comfort” an insurrection.
“He summoned a mob to Washington and knowingly they were armed and angry, pointed them to the Capitol and told them to fight like hell,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D- MS).
No former president has ever been the subject of a criminal referral from congress, but after an intense 18-month investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election that resulted in the US Capitol attack, the Committee laid out their case. They highlighted clips from previous hearings, testimony from their investigation and showed video at the Capitol on that dark day.
Members on the committee said the only way to prevent another January 6 is “accountability” and they are pointing the finger at the former president.
“He is unfit for any office,” said Rep. Liz Cheney (R- WY).
The panel is encouraging the DOJ to investigate the former president for those four crimes but its unclear whether the DOJ will take up these charges. The Committee approved a final report which they say will be released later this week. With the republicans taking control of the House in January, they’re set to dissolve this Committee from further work.
