
(TheRedWire.com) – In the wake of January 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill, Democrats have clamored for criminal charges against former President Donald Trump. They claim Trump incited the riot. Soon after the event, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) impaneled a partisan January 6 Select Committee to assess whether he played a role in the riot or otherwise disrupted the Electoral College certification that officiated the votes awarding Joe Biden the White House. Now, one legal expert suggests Trump could face indictments and prison time.
Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner told MSNBC’s “The ReidOut” that Trump could face up to 25 years in federal prison after the House committee sends criminal referrals to the Department of Justice. Possible charges the former president could face include insurrection, obstruction of an official preceding, and conspiracy to defraud the US government.
.@glennkirschner2 on DOJ & Jan. 6 committee: "They can't turn a blind eye to a coequal branch of government that has done such an exhaustive investigation when they pass all that evidence over to DOJ and they recommend criminal investigations & prosecutions." #TheReidOut pic.twitter.com/WmwQPVMmjR
— The ReidOut (@thereidout) December 17, 2022
Kirschner praised the potential charges. He said obstructing Congress’ Electoral College vote could come with a 20-year sentence. Likewise, he could receive an additional five years if convicted of conspiracy to commit offenses against the US. The legal expert added that insurrection could be the most critical allegation. If a jury found Trump guilty, he said it could prohibit him from running for president again. He stated, “I am rooting” for it.
Ion Meyn, an assistant law professor at the University of Wisconsin, said any criminal referral from the congressional committee was more symbolic than anything. Still, he noted the investigation was influential and would put the Department of Justice under significant pressure to act. If not, Meyn said officials would have to justify why they declined the referral.
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