| | | Federal prosecutor doesn’t rule out charging Trump for inciting Capitol riot
PUBLISHED THU, JAN 7 20214:21 PM EST
UPDATED THU, JAN 7 20214:47 PM EST
Dan Mangan @_DANMANGAN
CNBC.com
KEY POINTS
-- The top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., on Thursday pointedly did not rule out charging President Donald Trump in connection with inciting a riot where his supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol complex a day earlier.
-- Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said the Department of Justice will consider lodging criminal charges against anyone who played a role in the riot.
-- The New York Times reported that White House counsel Pat Cipollone had warned Trump that he could face legal exposure for the riot given his remarks art the rally, where he urged his fans to march to the Capitol.
The top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., on Thursday pointedly did not rule out charging President Donald Trump in connection with inciting a riot where his supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol complex a day earlier.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said the Department of Justice will consider lodging criminal charges against anyone who played a role in the riot, which for hours delayed the certification by Congress of Joe Biden’s election as the next president.
A reporter during a press call noted that Trump had called on his supporters at a rally before the right to fight for him.
Asked if he was eyeing Trump’s role in sparking the chaos, Sherwin said, “I don’t want to sound like broken record. We’re looking at all actors here.”
“Anyone who had a role and where the evidence fits a crime,” he said.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sherwin’s remarks.
The New York Times reported that White House counsel Pat Cipollone had warned Trump that he could face legal exposure for the riot given his remarks art the rally, where he urged his fans to march to the Capitol.
The Times also reported Thursday that Trump since Election Day has told advisors that he is considering pardoning himself for any crimes, and has asked whether he should do so.
Sherwin said prosecutors in Washington have filed 55 criminal cases in the past 36 hours, including 15 federal cases.
All of the 15 federal cases are directly related to the breach of the Capitol, he said.
“Fifteen, I think that’s a good start, but in no regard is that the end. This is just the beginning,” Sherwin said.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
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