The witness testimonies included in the committee report are predominantly given by republican members of Trump’s inner circle. Former attorney’s, members of his White House staff and members of his administration provided the committee with eye witness accounts of Trump’s knowledge that he lost the election and was knowledgeable and in support of the attack on the Capitol by his supporters. The following documentation from the Jan. 6th report supports the committee’s referrals to the Department of Justice to pursue their investigation and potential charges against Trump:
- OBSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICIAL PROCEEDING: Trump violated Section 1512 of Title 18 of the US Code when he sought to “prevent or delay the counting of lawful certified Electoral College votes from multiple States,” by personally and repeatedly pushing then-Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to count electoral votes ( Dec., 21, 2022, Fact check.org). The committee also found Trump responsible for recruiting tens and thousands of his armed followers to storm the Capitol, and “fight like hell, to save our country.”
- CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE UNITED STATES: Trump “entered into an agreement with individuals to obstruct a lawful function of the government (the certification of the election).” The report also found Trump “Trump and his co-conspirators “used ‘deceitful or dishonest means’” in their attempts to block the certification of the election. ( Dec. 21, 2022, Fact check.org).
- CONSPIRACY TO MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT: This referral is about Trump conspiring with others “to submit slates of fake electors to Congress and the National Archives. Section 1001, of Title 18 specifies any member of government who “knowingly and willfully — (1)falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact; (2)makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (3)makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry.” ( Fact check.org).
- INCITE, ASSIST OR AID AND COMFORT AN INSURRECTION: Committee members allege that available evidence shows that Trump violated 18 U.S.C. 2383, which applies when a person “incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto.” The committee said Trump summoned his supporters to the Capitol, told them to fight like hell to take their country back, and told the mob if ” Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election.”
This investigation along with the Mara-a-Lago stolen document probe is now in the hands of DOJ special counsel Jack White. The predominantly republican witness list volunteered or co-operated with the committee by providing eyewitness accounts of Trump knowing about the impending violent mob coming to the Capitol to do whatever he asked them to do, From the moment Trump learned the mob was yelling ” hang MIke Pence” he should have taken action to clear the rioters out of the Capitol. He didn’t take that action, therefore, lives were threatened and some were lost because Trump’s ego needed to see he was still loved and respected. Watching his supporters almost destroy our democracy inflated his self-esteem and encouraged him to keep the ” big lie” narrative going.