Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said during a Sunday morning interview on CNN he believes there to be evidence Donald Trump committed criminal acts while trying to overturn results from the 2020 presidential election.
This conclusion has been something for which members of the House committee investigating January 6, on which Schiff serves, have previously offered support, including in court while trying to obtain records from past Trump lawyer John Eastman. In those proceedings, a federal judge eventually concluded it was likely Trump and Eastman committed criminal acts. In specific terms, the riot panel will be voting on criminal referrals implicating at least Trump during public proceedings on Monday, according to presently available info. In this context, a referral is essentially a recommendation for prosecution by federal authorities.
Asked if there’s supporting evidence for a series of potential criminal allegations against Trump and whether bringing a case against Donald on the charges could be won, Schiff replied: “I think that the evidence is there that Donald Trump committed criminal offenses in connection with his efforts to overturn the election, and viewing it as a former prosecutor, I think there’s sufficient evidence to charge the president. I don’t know what the Justice Department has. I do know what’s in the public record. The evidence seems pretty plain to me, but I would want to see the full body of evidence, if I were in the prosecutor’s shoes, to make a decision. But this is someone who in multiple ways tried to pressure state officials to find votes that didn’t exist. This is someone who tried to interfere with the joint session, even inciting a mob to attack the Capitol. If that’s not criminal, then I don’t know what is.”
Check out his comments below:
Schiff on CNN: "I think that the evidence is there that Donald Trump committed criminal offenses in connection with his efforts to overturn the election … if that's not criminal, then I don't know what is." pic.twitter.com/56YpDC9wpA
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 18, 2022
A new report from POLITICO outlined at least three criminal allegations that would be subjects of committee votes on whether to include the accusations in any referral or referrals of Trump to federal prosecutors. That list includes obstruction of an official proceeding, involvement in insurrection, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. The insurrection offense doesn’t require direct involvement in or leadership of violent acts. “Aid” or “comfort” also suffice. There will no doubt be a lot more to read about the committee’s conclusions in the near future, with the release of its final report also set for this week. That will apparently come Wednesday.
It’s not the only rhetorical parting shot the outgoing Democratic House majority will be at least potentially making against Trump. After winning a years-long court stand-off and obtaining personal and business tax returns associated with Donald Trump, the House Ways and Means Committee may soon vote to make part or all of that information public. A meeting of that committee is scheduled for Tuesday, and it seems the chairperson — Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) — is in support of releasing information from the returns, as are other Democrats. That move making it in with just weeks left of Democratic control of the House certainly seems just remarkable.
