House panel urges Trump charges

The U.S. House of Representatives panel probing the deadly January 2021 attack on the Capitol has asked the Justice Department to charge former President Donald Trump with four criminal counts


Jan 6, 2021: Pro-Trump mob storm U.S. Capitol – leaving five people, including policeman, dead

Dec 2022: At least 964 people arrested and charged so far – 465 have pleaded guilty


1 Obstruction of official proceeding of Congress: Trump likely broke law because he knew his efforts to overturn his defeat in 2020 election would interfere with duty of Congress to certify Democrat Joe Biden as president

2 Conspiracy to defraud United States: Trump potentially broke law because he planned with others, including lawyer John Eastman and former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, to prevent Congress from certifying election results

3 Conspiracy to make false statements: Trump and allies planned to submit lists of fake electors to Electoral College in unsuccessful attempt to overturn losses in swing states. To win presidency, candidate has to win majority of 538 electoral votes

4 Aiding or inciting insurrection: Committee says Trump “was directly responsible for summoning what became a violent mob” during rally at White House.
Trump’s refusal to condemn violence serves as evidence that he supported their behaviour

    
Sources: New York Times, Reuters, UPI 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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