A U.S. House committee investigating a deadly 2021 riot at the Capitol Building may recommend charges against a former president.
ABC News reported Friday afternoon that the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, riot is moving forward with the process of contacting the U.S. Justice Department. Sources said the committee will ask the DOJ to file criminal counts against former President Donald Trump, who many lawmakers have accused of inciting the riot.
According to ABC, possible charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstructing an official proceeding, and insurrection. The U.S. House has not confirmed or denied the committee's intentions, which were first reported by Politico.
If the committee recommends charges, it will be the climax of a months-long process of investigating the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters, who believed Trump's unproven claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.
Thousands of people went to the Capitol that day following a rally hosted by Trump, to disrupt the constitutional certification by Congress of the electoral votes that brought a victory for Joe Biden.
Violence broke out between protestors and police outside the Capitol before the protestors forced their way inside. The certification process was stopped as members of Congress were forced to evacuate the chamber. Once the Capitol was secured hours later, the process resumed, and Biden's victory was certified.
Five people died during and after the attack. Four police officers on duty that day took their own lives within seven months of the event.
The Justice Department is also investigating the attack and is not bound to act on any recommendations.
