Jan. 6 panel to request Justice Department press charges against Trump: reports

The House select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, is considering asking the Justice Department to pursue multiple criminal charges, according to reports by multiple media outlets, including New York Times.

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On Monday, the House committee is planning to vote to issue criminal referrals to the DOJ against former President Donald Trump, several media outlets are reporting. According to The New York Times, that will include insurrection and at least two other charges.

A criminal referral from the committee does not guarantee that charges will be filed.

There are conflicting reports of the number of charges that the committee is requesting the Justice Department pursue.

According to the NYT, some members of the panel have already argued in federal court that they believe Trump committed two felonies that include obstructing an official proceeding of Congress and conspiracy to defraud the United States. It’s possible, the NYT said, that insurrection could be one of the additional charges.

Politico is reporting at least three charges that include insurrection, obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the United States government.

CNN is reporting at least two charges against Trump that include obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the federal government.

The committee was formed to investigate the factors that led to violence at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and to make recommendations around how to avoid similar events in the future. The group held its first public hearing in July 2021 and its most recent hearing in October.

Dozens of witnesses have appeared before the committee, including senior members of Trump’s administration and his campaign. The committee issued a subpoena for Trump’s testimony in October. Last month, Trump filed a lawsuit to block the subpoena.

The House select committee impeached Trump last year for incitement of insurrection, according to NYT.

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