United States Attorney General Merrick Garland sent a stern warning to former President Donald Trump and the culprits of the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot, that he would pursue charges against them for the insurrection.
The Justice Department has no qualms about the political blowback that would result from the agency criminally indicting the Republican businessman. This comes as authorities continue to investigate the attempt to block Joe Biden from assuming office following his win in the 2020 elections, said Garland.
Prosecution of Donald Trump
The chief of the DOJ also discussed the investigation in a new interview, an excerpt of which was released ahead of the full interview. When Garland was asked whether or not prosecutors would consider the potential for mass civil unrest as a result of indicting Trump, he indicated they would not.
"We pursue justice without fear or favor. We intend to hold everyone, anyone who was criminally responsible for the events surrounding January 6, for any attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power from one administration to another, accountable. That's what we do," said Garland, as per Independent.
The attorney general's remarks did not depart significantly from those few that he made previously about the efforts of the department to respond to the Capitol Hill riot. However, his notion that the investigation centers on the "attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power" is significant because it leaves open the possibility that the DOJ's probe includes more than just the siege of the Capitol building.
It leaves the possibility open that the efforts of the former president and his allies to convince state lawmakers and other officials to support false slates of electors could be in the line of sight of the department. Furthermore, they could be looking at Trump's personal efforts to encourage his supporters to amass in Washington D.C., for the insurrection itself.
According to USA Today, Garland's remarks also come as he has become the target of increasing pressure following last week's disclosure of a Justice memo that urged prosecutors to proceed with caution in potentially sensitive investigations with elections approaching.
Investigating Criminally Involved Individuals
At the time, the DOJ chief reiterated that he would pursue investigations wherever they led after some advocates worried that the document signaled he would avoid investigating the former president. He said that no person is above the law in the United States.
Garland added that there was nothing in the principles of prosecution and any other factors that prevented authorities from investigating anyone who is criminally responsible for an attempt to undo a democratic election.
The DOJ chief has repeatedly said that he would follow the facts and law while investigating the details of the Capitol Hill riot. On the other hand, legal analysts said attorney generals of both parties have issued similar memos for years to avoid taking steps that may appear timed to influence elections.
A flashpoint came when former FBI Director James Comey announced that he was reopening an investigation into Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton days before the 2016 election, which she argued could have tipped the results. Garland noted that it was important not to downgrade or suppress how crucial the day of the riot was, Fox News reported.
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