Former US Vice President Mike Pence has denied the allegations against his former boss Donald Trump for his role in the US Capitol invasion. “It would be incredibly divisive in a country and at a time when the American people want to see us healed,” Pence said in an interview with conservative Fox News on Monday. “I hope the Justice Department thinks this through carefully,” Pence said.
Recommended legal action
The US House of Representatives investigative committee, which has been trying to prosecute the events for a good year and a half, unanimously recommended that the Justice Department, at its latest public hearing in Washington on Monday, initiate criminal proceedings against Trump and others. involved. Whether and when that will happen is unclear, as the committee’s recommendation is not binding on the Justice Department.
The fact that Pence now stands before his former boss is notable, because investigations by the commission of inquiry showed how Pence narrowly escaped the Capitol attackers on January 6th. According to witnesses, only a few meters separated Pence from the crowd that had entered the congressional building. “Hang Mike Pence,” chanted several of the intruders. The committee also came up with findings that Trump responded favorably to these threats by his supporters.
serious allegations
The charges against Trump weigh heavily: the panel accuses him of inciting the crowd to riot. On January 6, 2021, supporters of the now 76-year-old invaded the United States Capitol, where the Republican’s electoral defeat against Joe Biden would be certified. Five people died when the building was violently invaded. Trump and others involved, such as his former legal adviser John Eastman, are also accused of obstructing a public hearing, conspiring against the US government and making false claims to the state.
Trump himself has always defended himself against the allegations and has repeatedly criticized the committee’s work. He dismisses any allegations as politically motivated. After Monday’s hearing, the former president again attacked the commission, repeating his lie about voter fraud. “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger,” he wrote on Truth Social, a platform he co-founded.
Trump out of political office if convicted
The Justice Department must now determine whether it has enough evidence to take further action against the Republican. The rare offense of rebellion is the most serious: it is committed under United States law by instigating or participating in insurrection against state authority or the law. This is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to ten years or both. If Trump is convicted of sedition, he will no longer be able to hold political office.
“We’ve interviewed over 1,000 witnesses. We’ve interviewed just about everyone you can imagine wanted to talk about, so we have a million pieces of evidence,” committee chairman Bennie Thompson said after Monday’s hearing. It is important that the Department of Justice now review the information that has been collected. “We will present any evidence that we uncover (to the Department of Justice) and ultimately it will be up to them,” he said.
Witnesses Heavily Incriminated Trump
In the course of the investigation, Trump was heavily framed by witnesses. This included former Attorney General William Barr and White House officials. Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House official, was considered a particularly spectacular surprise witness. In the summer, she accused Trump of being aware of possible violence on January 6, 2021.
Trump followed the violent disturbances on television from the Oval Office and did not make a public statement for hours, despite requests from his staff, family members and lawyers. “January 6, 2021, marked the first time an American president has refused his constitutional duty to peacefully pass power to the next,” said Liz Cheney, vice chair of the Commission of Inquiry. (apa, dpa)