Congressman Adam Schiff, leading a special congressional committee inquiry into the Capitol attack, has indicated there are enough grounds to pursue a criminal complaint against former U.S. President Donald Trump. This assessment was reported by CNN.
On Monday, December 19, the committee is set to convene one of its final sessions. The panel is expected to decide whether to forward its findings to the Justice Department and to recommend charges against the former president for at least three offenses, according to CNN.
Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, spoke as a former prosecutor and said there appears to be sufficient evidence to consider impeachment. He described the evidence as “pretty clear” in his view.
From Schiff’s perspective, Trump is alleged to have attempted to disrupt the congressional certification of Joe Biden’s victory by urging officials to find votes in his favor and by mobilizing a “bloodthirsty crowd” at the Capitol. He stated that if the conduct isn’t criminal, then nothing is.
The report indicates that the committee may urge that Trump be charged with sedition, obstruction of official procedures, and conspiracy to deceive the government.
According to Pelosi, the former House Speaker, Trump is unlikely to testify during the January 6 inquiry. Pelosi suggested he lacks the courage to testify under oath, while Trump’s legal team is expected to oppose testimony as well.
Earlier coverage noted that Trump reacted to the January 6 riots with public anger over alleged election fraud, but he defended the riots at the time.