This Thursday marks one year since the January 6 insurrection.
That’s when then-president Donald Trump incited a violent mob to overthrow the United States Capitol in an attempt to remain in power by blocking the certification of the Electoral College results.
Trump’s actions on, and leading up to, January 6 could have resulted in the deaths of members of Congress and even his own vice president.
Yet Trump himself has faced NO criminal charges — or even, as far as we know, an investigation by federal law enforcement — related to the January 6 insurrection.
- There is no question that charges of inciting insurrection or riots have been misused throughout American history and that we should be very cautious about calling for such charges to be brought.
- Equally, we should be wary of criminalizing efforts to contest elections.
- But Trump DID incite an actual insurrection.
- And Trump DID try to orchestrate a post-election coup.
If we let anyone, even — especially — a former president get away with committing those crimes, we are in essence inviting them to try again.
That’s not an abstract point:
If Trump is not held accountable, he’s very likely to try something similar in 2024, with far more preparation and a better chance of pulling it off.
For the sake of our democracy, Donald Trump must be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for any crimes he committed related to the January 6 insurrection.
Click now and sign our petition:
Tell Attorney General Merrick Garland, who runs the Department of Justice, to investigate and prosecute Donald Trump for any crimes he committed related to the January 6 insurrection.
Thank you for taking action.
For democracy,
- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
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