The US Capitol storming on January 6, 2017, has been investigated by a committee that recommended criminal charges against Donald Trump.
These include conspiring to defraud the United States, obstructing a formal proceeding (the certification Joe Biden‘s electoral victory); conspiracy to make false statements and inciting or aiding an insurrection.
This recommendation is symbolic in nature. It is up to the US Justice Department to decide whether or not Mr Trump should be prosecuted.
Bernie Thompson, the chair of the committee, stated that “we have every confidence in the work of the committee will help provide a road map to justice.”
The final report contains a number of recommendations, including the accusation that Mr Trump is involved in a “multiple-part conspiracy” in order to overturn the election.
Thompson stated that accountability is the most important focus.
He stated that “We will also demonstrate that the evidence we have gathered points towards further action beyond what this committee or congress can do to ensure accountability in law.”
“Accountability can only be found within the criminal justice system.”
Thompson also criticized Donald Trump’s “breaking” faith and stated to the committee that: “If we want to survive as a nation based on laws and democracy, this cannot happen again.”
Vice chair Liz Cheney spoke out about Donald Trump‘s behavior on the day the riots began. She stated: “In addition, this was illegal… it was an utter moral fail and a clear dereliction or duty.
This is evident in the testimony of Trump’s White House counsel as well as several other White House witnesses.
“No man can behave in that manner at any time in the future in any authority position in our country.” He is not fit for any office.”
Ms. Cheney stated that the work of the committee is just the beginning and described it as an “initial stage” in dealing with Mr Trump’s “efforts at remaining in office illegally”.
Ms Cheney said that prosecutions are now looking at the implications of the conduct detailed in the report.
Trump’s daughter “not available”
The committee believes that Ivanka Trump, Trump’s daughter and White House advisor, knew more than she was willing to reveal.
According to the executive summary, Trump was not as forthcoming as other aides (including Pat Cipollone, then-White House counsel) about former President’s conduct.
She was accused by the committee of not having a complete recollection of certain topics.
The committee stated that portions of Kayleigh McEnany, former press secretary,”seemed evasive’ and didn’t seem as forthright than other staff in the press office.
Hope Hicks (ex-Trump advisor) was also charged with not being forthcoming when asked if she told President Trump he needed to encourage peaceful supporters.
‘A big fraud’
Rudy Giuliani was Mr Trump’s lawyer. He claimed that voting machines had turned votes against President Biden.
The committee report claims that Giuliani said during his deposition, “I don’t think the machines stole it”.
When asked for proof that the election was stolen, other Trump supporters and lawyers invoked the Fifth Amendment privilege against self incrimination.
The panel of the committee stated that “no one of them presented evidence raising genuine doubts about the election outcome.”
It was, in short, a huge scam.
Trump has already started a campaign to win the Republican nomination for a second run in 2024 in the White House.
He addressed the nation from his Mar-a-Lago estate, Florida. He said that “America’s comeback begins right now.”
Despite facing numerous investigations into the riot that claimed five lives, including a police officer, he announced his candidacy for leadership.
The disorder caused injuries to more than 140 officers and cost millions of dollars to Capitol.