(Washington) Members of the House of Representatives committee investigating the January 6, 2021 congressional riot say they have gathered enough evidence for the federal Department of Justice to consider bringing charges against former President Donald Trump .
Posted at 2:38 p.m.
“I would like to see the Department of Justice investigate all credible allegations of criminal activity by Donald Trump,” said Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, a member of the committee. He did some things aimed at overturning the election results that I saw nothing to show that the department was investigating. »
The committee conducted its first hearings last week. Each member detailed the defeated president’s efforts to overturn the results of the November 2020 poll that saw Democrat Joe Biden win.
Photo BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, Agence France-Presse
The Board of Inquiry tasked with shedding light on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol assault held its first public hearing Thursday evening.
New evidence will be unveiled next week. They could demonstrate how Donald Trump and his advisers undertook “a massive effort” to spread false information and pressure the Justice Department to embrace his bad thesis.
Members said Sunday that the most important session will be when Attorney General Merrick Garland appears, who must ultimately decide whether to prosecute Mr. Trump. There is no doubt in their minds that the evidence is sufficient.
Photo Alex Brandon, Associated Press
United States Attorney General Merrick Garland
“When the evidence is gathered by the Department of Justice, then they have to make a decision about it. Can he prove beyond a reasonable doubt before a jury that [l’ancien] president or anyone else is guilty? argues Mr. Schiff. We must investigate the credible evidence that, in my opinion, exists. »
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin said he has no intention of intimidating Mr. Garland, but he pointed out that the committee has already filed legal arguments showing that Mr. Trump has repeatedly violated the Criminal Code.
” He is aware. His staff is aware. Federal prosecutors know. They know what is at stake, he said. They pay attention to historical precedents and facts. »
Mr. Garland did not specify what he intends to do during the near future which looks complicated. Mr. Trump has openly hinted that he intends to run again in 2024. “We will follow the facts where they lead us,” the attorney general told students at Harvard University in May.
In March, a California federal judge found it “likely” that the ex-president had violated the law by seeking to invalidate the November 2020 election result. Donald Trump has always denied the facts.