A unanimous decision.

The parliamentary commission of inquiry into the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 recommended, on Monday, December 19, criminal proceedings against former President Donald Trump, including one for calling for insurrection.

The "main cause" of the assault on the American Capitol in January 2021 is Donald Trump: this is the conclusion of a dedicated parliamentary commission of inquiry, in a preliminary report published on Monday.

Lawsuits

The commission of inquiry also recommended that the former president be prosecuted for obstructing official process (the certification of the results of a presidential election), conspiracy against the American state and misrepresentation.

“The commission has gathered significant evidence showing that President Trump intended to disrupt the peaceful transition of power as provided for in our Constitution,” said House of Representatives Jamie, shortly before a vote. Raskin.

“We believe that the evidence accumulated during our investigation justifies the recommendation of criminal prosecution against Donald Trump,” he added.

These charges are punishable by prison terms and disqualification from holding public office.

The commission has no authority to initiate these criminal proceedings itself and can only issue a recommendation to the US Department of Justice, which alone has the authority to indict the former US president if necessary.

Indict Trump?

This vast parliamentary investigation has increased the pressure on the shoulders of the American Minister of Justice, Merrick Garland, so that he criminally indicts the former Republican president.

But other scenarios remain at the choice of the "Attorney General", on the front line in this extremely political file, likely to reshuffle the cards for the 2024 presidential election. Indeed, neither Merrick Garland nor his ministry are required to follow the recommendations of the commission of elected officials who, unanimously, voted Monday in favor of criminal proceedings against Donald Trump.

Merrick Garland, well aware that not a single former American president has been indicted for a crime in the history of the United States, will most certainly want to first ensure that he has a solid case before risking himself. Act.

The 70-year-old lawyer is known for his reluctance to get involved in political affairs and he knows well that by indicting Donald Trump, he would permanently tarnish the image of neutrality he cultivates.

"Prevent my candidacy for 2024"

Donald Trump reacted and denounced on Monday "bogus prosecutions" recommended by the commission of inquiry, in what he denounces as a maneuver seeking to prevent his candidacy for 2024. "All these stories aimed at prosecuting me are like the trial in impeachment, a partisan attempt to sideline me and the Republican Party" in the race for the White House, he said on his Truth Social network.

>> To read also: the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, a turning point for Donald Trump?

On January 6, 2021, supporters of former President Trump, claiming - wrongly - like him that the 2020 presidential election had been "stolen" from him by Joe Biden, violently attacked the headquarters of Congress in Washington to stop the certification of results, shaking American democracy.

With AFP

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