“It would be incredibly divisive in a country and at a time when the American people want to see us healed,” Pence said in an interview Monday with conservative Fox News. “I hope the Justice Department thinks this through,” Pence said.
The US House of Representatives Committee of Inquiry, which has been trying to come to terms with the events for more than a year and a half, unanimously recommended that the Justice Department on Monday at its latest public hearing in Washington begin criminal proceedings against Trump and others involved. Whether and when that will happen is unclear, as the committee’s advice is not binding on the Ministry of Justice.
Pence targets the attackers
That Pence now stands before his former boss is remarkable, as the investigation by the Commission of Inquiry revealed how narrowly Pence escaped the attackers at the Capitol on January 6. According to witnesses, Pence was only a few feet from the mob that had forced its way into the convention building. “Hang Mike Pence,” several of the intruders chanted. The commission also presented evidence that Trump had responded positively to these threats from his supporters.
The allegations against Trump weigh heavily: the panel accuses him of inciting riots. On January 6, 2021, supporters of the 76-year-old stormed the US Capitol, where the Republican’s election defeat to Joe Biden was to be ratified. Five people died when the building was violently stormed. Trump and others involved, such as his former legal adviser John Eastman, are also accused of obstructing a public hearing, conspiring against the US government and making false claims to the state.
Trump denies allegations
Trump himself has always defended himself against the allegations and repeatedly railed against the work of the committee. He dismisses all allegations as politically motivated. After Monday’s hearing, the ex-president again attacked the committee and repeated his lie about voter fraud. “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” he wrote on Truth Social, a platform he co-founded.
The Justice Department must now determine whether it has sufficient evidence to take further action against the Republican. The rare crime of rioting is the most serious: it is committed under U.S. law by inciting or participating in rebellion against state authority or law. This is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to ten years or both. If Trump is convicted of sedition, he will no longer be allowed to hold political office.
The committee sees overwhelming evidence
“We have heard more than 1,000 witnesses. We’ve interviewed just about everyone you can think of who wanted to speak up, so we have a million pieces of evidence,” committee chair Bennie Thompson said after Monday’s hearing. It’s important that the Justice Department now look at the information that has been gathered. present (to the Justice Department) any evidence that we have uncovered and it will ultimately be up to them,” he said.
During the investigation, Trump was heavily accused by witnesses. These included former Attorney General William Barr and White House aides. Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide, was considered a particularly spectacular surprise witness. Over the summer, she accused Trump of knowing about possible violence on January 6, 2021.
Trump watched the violent riots on television from the Oval Office and did not make a public statement for hours, despite requests from his staff, family members and lawyers. “January 6, 2021, was the first time a US president has failed in his constitutional duty to peacefully hand over power to the next,” said Liz Cheney, vice chair of the investigative committee.
(SDA)