Trump Outlines Priorities in NBC Interview, Targets Jan. 6 Committee Members
In a recent interview on NBC’s "Meet the Press," President-elect Donald Trump discussed his immediate plans upon taking office, including actions related to the January 6 Capitol riot defendants. He asserted that he would address these cases "very quickly," stating intentions to act on his "first day" in office. Trump indicated that while he would not issue blanket pardons, he would evaluate individual cases of those charged.
Around 1,560 individuals have been implicated in the January 6 events, with over 590 charged for assaulting law enforcement officers. Trump’s comments came in light of various defendants seeking pardons, including Joseph Hutchinson, who is accused of violent actions during the riot. Hutchinson suggested in a recent filing that he would wait for a pardon instead of fleeing a trial he believes won’t occur.
Trump also engaged with the idea of prosecuting members of the select committee that investigated the riot, specifically Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson and former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney. He remarked that they "should go to jail," sparking significant criticism from Cheney, who accused Trump of undermining the rule of law.
When questioned about a potential special prosecutor for investigating President Biden, Trump stated he would not pursue this unless he deemed it reasonable, emphasizing that decisions would be left to his appointed attorney general, Pam Bondi.
Trump’s comments have raised significant concern among lawmakers, reigniting debates surrounding the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection and the integrity of congressional investigations. Cheney, in her response, labeled Trump’s assertions as "ridiculous and false," defending the legitimacy of the committee’s work.
As his inauguration approaches, Trump’s actions concerning these issues remain closely scrutinized by both supporters and opponents.
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