President Trump, his family, and his advisors, as well as members of Congress should face criminal investigation for their role in inciting the Capitol Hill riot, New York’s top cop asserted yesterday.
New York Attorney General Letitia James called on Acting U.S. Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen to immediately launch a full investigation of events leading up to the riot.
She made the request in a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ). (Click here to read)
“A violent incursion onto government property with the express intention of hindering the certification of a lawful election is a violation of federal law and must be prosecuted. This is not the only federal law that may apply to yesterday’s actions,” the letter said.
James, specifically, zeroed in on the president and family members.
“Yesterday’s events did not happen in a vacuum. The path was paved by months of lies and wild conspiracy theories by President Trump, his family and closest associates, and Members of Congress,” the letter stated.
“Immediately before the mob stormed the Capitol, President Trump made his wishes explicit, telling an angry crowd: ‘You’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong,'” James said in a statement.
“We’re going to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue…and we’re going to the Capitol…and we’re going to try [to] give our Republicans…the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country,.” the President exhorted.
Donald Trump Jr. told the mob: “This gathering should send a message,” while simultaneously warning members of Congress who did not back the pro-Trump efforts that “We’re coming for you.”
Eric Trump told the rioters: “And we need to march on the Capitol today. And we need to stand up for this country;”
Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, called for insurrectionists to partake in “trial by combat,” James noted.
The investigation should be extended to Ivanka Trump, Lara Trump and members of Congress, presumably Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri)
“The president swore an oath to protect this nation against all enemies, foreign or domestic, but this week he led an attack on the greatest symbol of our democratic republic,” James said.
“Not since foreign invaders attacked the Capitol more than 200 years ago has Washington, DC been attacked. But Wednesday, not under the command of foreign leaders but of our very own commander-in-chief, did American citizens attempt to overthrow our government.”
President Trump has been inciting his base for months with false claims of election fraud in six swing states won by President-elect Joe Biden.
More than 60 lawsuits that sought to overturn the election all failed for lack of evidence. Yet, Trump and his associates continued to make false fraud claims.
These wild conspiracy theories led to these acts of terror and sedition, and which elected officials are sworn to defend against, James said.
Trump is reportedly mulling issuing broad pardons to family members, close associates and even himself.
But James said the move could backfire.
The president’s issuance of pardons under corrupt circumstances could render him vulnerable to prosecution when he leaves office on January 20, she noted.
“Additionally, any pardon President Trump could possibly issue would only pardon him from federal crimes. Any state or local investigations and potential charges would not be affected and would proceed.
The attorney general’s office is conducting a civil investigation into the president and the Trump Organization over allegations of tax fraud.
In addition, the Manhattan District Attorney is conducting a criminal investigation into hush money the president made to cover up sexual trysts before the 2016 election.
That investigation has since been extended to possible criminal insurance and tax fraud.
The president belatedly condemned the violence on Wednesday. He said rioters had defiled the seat of American democracy and must be held accountable.
Just a day earlier, Trump had told supporters: “We love you. You’re very special,” as he urged them to go home after they broke into the Capitol.