Reactions Erupt, Supporters Outraged at Jan. 6th Committee’s Criminal Referral of Pres. Trump
On Monday, the January 6th Committee concluded its business by criminally referring former President Donald Trump and his lawyer, John Eastman, to the Department of Justice.
The referral is the culmination of a year and a half of subpoenas, testimony, and evidence collected by the Committee that likely be dismantled after Republicans take the House back in January.
The Committee referred Trump and Eastman for criminal prosecution based on their belief that they violated four different criminal statutes. Perhaps the most controversial one was that they allegedly incited an insurrection.
"Our Committee had the opportunity last Spring to present much of our evidence to a federal judge… The judge concluded that both former President Donald Trump and John Eastman likely violated two federal criminal statutes."
–@RepRaskin— January 6th Committee (@January6thCmte) December 19, 2022
People across the country and the world reacted quickly, with liberals celebrating the referral and conservatives claiming that it was a politically motivated witch hunt.
In Palm Beach County, where Trump spends most of his time at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Republicans defended the former President. Michael Barnett, Chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, cited the fact that the President told his supporters to remain peaceful and attempted to call up the National Guard.
“In Palm Beach County, we support President Trump and believe he will be vindicated. We haven’t seen any proof that he committed criminal wrongdoing. In fact, he urged protesters in Washington to demonstrate peacefully and was refused his offer to call up the national guard at the Capitol. This has never been done before to a sitting president. It’s as historic as it is tragic. President Trump will have his day, and the partisan Democrats and Never- Trumpers on the January 6 committee will be held accountable.” Barnett said in an exclusive statement to Florida Jolt.
#Jan6Committee was a show trial
It is an attempt to stop @realDonaldTrump from holding office again
If they were serious they would have
1. Released 14 hrs of video inside the US Capitol
2. Wld have ? Pelosi on not accepting Trump’s offer for National Guard
All political!
— Amy Kremer (@AmyKremer) December 19, 2022
What does re-living January 6th do to help Americans make ends meet while dealing with Biden's 7% inflation?
Absolutely nothing. Every single Member of Congress on the J6 Committee should be expelled from office.
— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) December 20, 2022
While conservatives were undoubtedly outraged about the decision to refer Trump for prosecution, some expressed optimism that the incoming Republican majority in the House would right the wrongs caused by the January 6th Committee.
“No surprise from the Kangaroo Court.” This was their plan all along. Let’s be clear; they were on a time clock. On January 3, 2023 a new crop of Congressmen/women are entering the Capitol. This will not happen after 1/3/23. This was yet again a HUGE waste of Taxpayer dollars on a “Clown Show “ that got Zero ratings and No public support. It’s all a sham, anyway! They Know it…We Know It…The Whole World Knows It!” Said Annie Marie Delgado, President of Conservative Watch USA.
After the most recent report from https://t.co/J5eP4RBDJZ, I don't think we can disband the @January6thCmte.
We have to take over the January 6th Committee, issue subpoenas, and put the truth, however uncomfortable it may be, before the entire country.https://t.co/py9Zacy4GV pic.twitter.com/nkXliIth5a
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 6, 2022
Here is the real reason the J6 communist committee is making criminal referrals to the DOJ on Trump.
They can’t beat President Trump and they know it.
January is coming. pic.twitter.com/80SUYvEA8h
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 19, 2022
Club 45 USA, a huge group that supports Pres. Trump also condemned the criminal referrals by the January 6th Committee. The group also said that the referrals will result in a boost in support for Trump.
“The actions taken today by the January 6 Unselect committee are totally disgusting. Today, their criminal referral to the DOJ will generate more support than ever for President Trump.” Said Larry Snowden, President of Club 45.USA in Palm Beach County.
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On Monday night, Trump released a statement regarding the criminal referrals made by the January 6th Committee. He said that people who “love freedom” would “rally around him” due to the decision. He also used the defense that he requested a National Guard presence at the January 6th rally.
My response to the J6 Committee's ethics referral. pic.twitter.com/y6CWp4n8HX
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) December 19, 2022
PRESS SECRETARY: “What we saw on January 6th was the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War…Our Democracy continues and remains under threat” pic.twitter.com/0jclKuNPju
— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld_) December 20, 2022
Outgoing Representative Adam Kinzinger, R-Il. who was one of two Republican members of the committee, supported the decision to criminally refer Trump to the Department of Justice.
He seemed to imply that one of his motives for referring Trump for criminal prosecution was ensuring that he would not be elected President again.
Our work on the @January6thCmte has led us to criminally refer Donald Trump to DOJ. We now turn to the criminal justice system to ensure Justice under the law. The American people can ensure he’s never elected again.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) December 19, 2022
In New York, protesters gathered in front of Trump Tower to demand that he is arrested just hours after the January 6th Committee made its referral.
The protesters held signs calling the former President an “insurrectionist” and saying that he was guilty of sedition.
Protesters in front of Trump Tower in New York City call for the arrest of former president Donald Trump.
This after the January 6th committee referred him to the DOJ for criminal charges in relation to the January 6th riot at the capitol. pic.twitter.com/YeSEibNACb
— LUKE2FREEDOM (@L2FTV) December 19, 2022
While the referral made by the January 6th Committee may bolster the Department of Justice’s case if they choose to prosecute Trump, it is in no way binding, meaning that the Department of Justice could decline to prosecute Trump if they believe there is insufficient evidence.
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