Jan. 6 committee to make criminal referrals to DOJ

WASHINGTON — The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol expects to make criminal referrals to the Department of Justice, according to multiple reports.

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Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Mississippi Democrat who chairs the committee, told reporters on Tuesday that the specifics around who will face referrals had yet to be decided, according to CNN.

“At this point, there’ll be a separate document coming from me to DOJ,” he said ahead of a meeting with the committee later Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.

Thompson said perjury allegations were “part of the discussion,” according to CNN. Other potential charges that could be recommended include criminal contempt of Congress, obstruction of justice, obstruction of an official government proceeding and conspiracy, Bloomberg News reported.

A criminal referral from the committee does not guarantee that charges will be filed.

The committee formed to investigate the factors that led to violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and to make recommendations around how to avoid similar events in the future. The group held its first public hearing in July 2021 and its most recent hearing in October.

Dozens of witnesses have appeared before the committee, including senior members of former President Donald Trump’s administration and his campaign. The group issued a subpoena for Trump’s testimony in October. Last month, Trump filed a lawsuit to block the subpoena.

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