Along with Donald Trump five of his allies were also referred as potential co-conspirators|Gage Skidmore|CC BY-SA 2.0
The nine-member panel investigating the Capitol riots unanimously voted Monday to recommend former President Donald Trump for criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The Jan. 6 Committee referred four charges against Trump.
- Inciting insurrection
- Conspiracy to defraud the United States
- Obstruction of an act of Congress
- Conspiracy to make a false statement
The last charge, if found guilty, would carry lengthy prison sentences.
Trump allies referred, too
Not only Trump but five of his allies were also referred as potential co-conspirators—Mark Meadows, his chief of staff and lawyers, Rudolph W Giuliani, John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark and Kenneth Chesebro.
It will be the first time in US history that Congress has referred a former president to the DOJ for criminal charges. Congress referrals do not carry any legal weight but will add legitimacy to the crimes committed.
Responding to the situation, Trump said, “These folks don’t get it that when they come after me, people who love freedom rally around me. It strengthens me. What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.”