Will Trump or his allies face charges over Jan. 6? Legal experts explain hurdles DOJ faces
- The Jan. 6 hearings have been shocking and revelatory, but that doesn’t assure charges.
- Experts say inciting a riot is a possible charge, but First Amendment could protect Trump.
- AG Garland says nothing blocks investigation, but experts say weighing charges is complicated.
WASHINGTON – House hearings about what led to the Capitol attack and what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, provided a series of stunning revelations, but the Justice Department must still decide whether to charge former President Donald Trump or his top aides with crimes related to the attack.
A federal judge suggested Trump and one of his personal lawyers “more likely than not” broke the law with a scheme to overturn the 2020 election. Lawmakers investigating the attack called for charges against Trump.