US Jan 6 Capitol Riot Panel Recommends DOJ Indict Trump (Update)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The U.S. House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot has recommended criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump to the Department of Justice.

According to local media such as CNN, the committee adopted a final report containing this opinion at its last meeting on the 19th (local time), concluding an 18-month investigation. This is the first time a recommendation for criminal prosecution has been made against a former president.

The House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot concluded that former President Trump bears ultimate responsibility for the incident, which was led by his far-right supporters. Accordingly, the committee recommended that the Department of Justice indict Trump on four charges: incitement of insurrection, obstruction of official proceedings, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction of congressional activities.

The committee's recommendation does not carry legal binding force. However, the fact that Congress has explicitly stated the criminal acts of a former president and decided to recommend criminal prosecution holds symbolic significance. It is especially politically damaging for former President Trump, who has declared his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election.

The Department of Justice is also conducting separate investigations into Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified information and other charges related to the January 6 Capitol riot, drawing attention to whether these will lead to criminal prosecution in the future.

The committee will also release an investigative report on the January 6 Capitol riot on the 21st. The report is expected to include transcripts of interviews with over 1,000 witnesses. This may reveal detailed circumstances regarding Trump’s involvement. The trial of the far-right group ‘Proud Boys,’ who led the January 6 riot, also began on the 19th.

Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin said at the meeting, "Former President Trump’s plan was to nullify and obstruct the certification of the presidential election," adding, "There is sufficient evidence to indict former President Trump." Democratic Representative Joe Roffgren stated, "The committee concluded that there is evidence that Trump made tremendous efforts to spread claims of election fraud," emphasizing that Trump’s 'election fraud' claims after his 2020 defeat were not spontaneous but intentional.

Republican Representative Liz Cheney, a prominent 'Trump critic' within the party, criticized, "Former President Trump clearly neglected his duties by not immediately stopping the rioters and is unfit for any public office." This is interpreted as a public statement opposing Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.

Earlier, the U.S. House passed an impeachment resolution against Trump on charges of inciting insurrection following the January 6 riot last year, but it was rejected in the Senate with only 57 votes in favor, falling short of the two-thirds majority. Republican House members plan to release their own rebuttal document exceeding 100 pages on the 21st, coinciding with the release of the final report.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.