After yet another bombshell January 6 hearing in Congress, the evidence is clear:
Donald Trump attempted a coup against the United States of America.
Trump and his MAGA allies must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
- On January 6, 2021, America — and the world — saw Donald Trump incite a crowd to violence and then refuse to send in law enforcement to stop the insurrection he launched.
- Afterwards, Trump doubled down on his Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen.
- Trump’s lies have spread doubt about the basic functioning of our elections, fueled the rise of conspiracists and neo-fascists, and imperiled American democracy itself.
- Now, as the January 6 Committee concludes the first phase of its hearings, it is obvious that Trump’s actions were even more dangerous, far-reaching, and planned than we knew.
Look, there are good reasons for caution in urging prosecution.
There’s a danger that an administration prosecuting its predecessor could set a precedent and lead to the criminalization of political difference. And if he faces prosecution, Trump will proclaim himself a martyr and might be able to marshal more political support as a result.
But against those and other considerations stands the reality that Trump attempted a coup to remain in power illegally.
Donald Trump must be held criminally responsible.
Failure to prosecute such a colossal crime, where the basic facts are beyond dispute, not only will undermine the norms of democratic accountability, it will embolden Trump and others to engage in similar schemes, including the use of political violence.
Thursday night, the January 6 Committee reminded us of Trump’s viciousness and his casual indifference to human life.
- Trump knew the mob he sent to the Capitol was armed. He urged their violence.
- He knew the threats against Mike Pence and he didn’t care. In fact, he ginned them up.
- He was well aware of the desperate pleas, including from his own party’s leaders, for law enforcement help to quell the insurrection. And he refused to act.
- Trump had complete knowledge of what he was doing and what was happening. It was not an accident.
Trump did what he did — and refused for hours to stop the violence — because it was part of a determined plan to carry out a coup.
January 6 was the culmination of a months-long effort to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 election.
This was a crime against America. It must be prosecuted.
Tell the Department of Justice (and other law enforcement agencies where these crimes may have been committed) to prosecute Donald Trump.
Add your name now.
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For justice and accountability,
- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
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