Donald Trump indictment: House Jan. 6 committee reacts to new charges
Misty Severi
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Former members of the Jan. 6 House committee reacted to the indictment of former President Donald Trump on charges related to alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power at the Capitol riot.
Former committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) said the news supported what the committee found at the conclusion of its 18-month investigation.
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“Two years ago, when I chaired the first Select Committee hearing, I was moved by the courageous testimony of four brave police officers who came to the defense of the Capitol and American democracy on January 6, 2021,” the congressman said in a post to the social media site X, which was formerly known as Twitter. “Today’s charges are consistent with those the Select Committee referred to the Special Counsel last year, and successful prosecutions will not only bring accountability but also help prevent something like January 6 from ever happening again.”
The congressman added, “January 6 was a test of American democracy, but the fair trials of those responsible will further demonstrate this Nation’s commitment to the rule of law and hold accountable those who attempted to undermine it.”
The committee launched its investigation into the riot on Capitol Hill, which saw the Capitol stormed by supporters of the former president on Jan. 6, 2021, in July 2021. The investigation concluded in January, and criminal referrals against Trump were submitted to the Justice Department. A separate federal investigation has spanned more than two years.
The four federal charges handed down by a federal grand jury on Tuesday include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights, according to the indictment.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), who served as one of two minority members on the committee, called Tuesday “the beginning of Justice.” Kinzinger has been a vocal critic of Trump, especially on matters related to the Capitol riot.
“On the 1/6 Committee, we uncovered proof that Donald Trump not only knew what was happening at the Capitol, but encouraged it,” Kinzinger posted to X. “He is a cancer on our democracy. Today is the beginning of Justice. Nobody is above the law; least of all a president who swore an oath to defend it.”
The other conservative member on the committee, former Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, has not publicly released a reaction to the indictment.
A third former member of the committee, Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA), called the attack an “assault on our democracy” and reiterated claims that no person was above the law.
“The January 6th Capitol attack was an assault on our democracy, and everyone involved must be held accountable, including Donald Trump,” Aguilar posted to X. “In our country, nobody is above the law.”
https://twitter.com/RepPeteAguilar/status/1686498844828135424
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Tuesday marked the second federal indictment the former president faces. He is also facing charges in a separate case, and the charges include willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements.
The former commander in chief has been ordered to appear in Washington, D.C., district court on Thursday, and he will appear in front of Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya for his arraignment. He is expected to plead not guilty to all four charges.