DONALD Trump might be criminally to blame for his role in the Capitol riot “as the facts support sedition charges,” the lead prosecutor investigating the attack has said.
Michael Sherwin, the acting US attorney for Washington, DC, said in a 60 Minutes interview that Trump “was the magnet” that brought people to the Capitol building.
“Now the question is, is he criminally culpable for everything that happened during the siege, during the breach?” Sherwin said in the interview that aired on Sunday.
Sherwin – who is leading the largest criminal investigation in US history – said based on public records and statements in court, “Maybe the president is culpable for those actions.”
“We have plenty of people, we have soccer moms from Ohio that were arrested saying, ‘Well, I did this because my president said I had to take back our house.’
“That moves the needle forwards that direction,” the attorney said after he was asked if Trump has been part of his investigation into the riots on January 6.
“But also, you see in the public record too militia members saying, ‘You know what? We did this because Trump just talks a big game. He’s just all talk. We did what he wouldn’t do.'”
Sherwin said, “We have people looking at everything” and that “everything’s being looked at” – including the former president.
“But, so far, prosecutors have not charged sedition – attempting to overthrow the government.”
Sherwin added he thinks “the evidence is trending towards” sedition and “probably meets those elements.”
When asked if sedition charges are expected against rioters, the attorney said: “I believe the facts do support those charges. And I think that, as we go forward, more facts will support that.”
He went on to say that “what makes this case so monumental, there are hundreds of defendants in a limited area, dispersing.
“And a variety of crimes being investigated, everything from murder to assaults to theft of government property, the theft of art.”
Sherwin said he’s also investigating whether rioters were given tours of the Capitol building, or “reconnaissance runs.”
“Or they were on a basic tour. But, yes, I mean, that’s troubling. If that happens, God, that’s troubling.”
Sherwin did, however, say that rioters who are using the excuse that Trump told them to storm the Capitol aren’t using legal reasoning.
“That’s not a valid defense under the law,” Sherwin said. “And if they want to roll the dice and say that in front of a jury, they can.”
The deadly attack took place on the United States Capitol building on January 6.
Five people died in the attack, and over 140 others were injured.
Just before hundreds of MAGA supporters stormed the Capitol, Trump told them to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol to rally against Congress confirming Joe Biden’s Electoral College win.
“We’re going to walk down to the Capitol and we’re going to cheer on our brave Senators and Congressmen and women,” Trump told a crowd of his fans.
“And we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them. Because you’ll never take back our country with weakness.
“You have to show strength and you have to be strong.”
Trump was acquitted of inciting the insurrection during his second impeachment trial.
Prosecutors have so far brought charges against more than 250 people in the attack, including conspiracy, assault, civil disorder, and obstruction of an official proceeding.
Authorities have suggested that rare sedition charges could be coming against some.
Hundreds of Trump supporters were photographed and videotaped storming the Capitol and posted selfies inside the building on social media.
