Capitol assault: House committee recommends criminal charges against Trump

An image of former President Donald Trump released by the US House Committee on December 19, 2022. Getty Images via AFP - POOL

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

The parliamentary commission of inquiry into the assault on the Capitol wrapped up its eighteen months of work on Monday with a final live public meeting.

She voted in favor of criminal charges against Donald Trump.

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From our correspondent in Washington,

The commission concluded, this Monday, December 19, its work during which it analyzed thousands of pages of documents, and heard dozens of witnesses.

Some in very striking auditions.

The elected officials who compose it – seven Democrats and two Republicans were responsible for shedding light on the actions of Donald Trump before and during January 6, 2021, the day of the assault on the Capitol.

The elected officials sought to show that the former president had tried to keep power when he knew he was beaten and finally recommended criminal proceedings against Donald Trump.

At the center of these hearings is pressure from the White House on local officials, on election workers, on Justice Department officials to try to change the results of the 2020 presidential election. also questioned about President Trump's role in inciting protesters to go to the Capitol and halt the certification process.

Everything was fueled by testimonials from people inside the firm itself.

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Before its upcoming dissolution, on January 3, 2023, due to a change of majority, the commission intended to present its conclusions and take at least symbolic decisions, in particular recommending criminal proceedings against the former president.

She did.

Non-mandatory prosecution recommendations

This restitution marks the end of one story, and perhaps the beginning of another.

Because these recommendations for criminal prosecution, if they can lead to prison sentences, depending on the charges, are not imperative.

And they don't always lead to jail.

It is up to the Ministry of Justice, very concerned about its independence, to decide on prosecutions.

For this, you need to have enough elements.

The ministry is also conducting its own investigation into the events of January 6, it had also appointed

 : Jack Smith.

The latter is particularly involved in the referral of classified documents found in the residence of Donald Trump in Mar-A-Lago.

The political dimension of the conclusions is obvious.

And besides the former president does not hesitate to

it .

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• donald trump