National

Jan. 6 select committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said Monday that he has "no doubt" the Department of Justice (DOJ) will charge former President Trump once it evaluates the evidence compiled by the panel.

Why it matters: Thompson's comments to CNN follow the committee's unanimous vote to refer Trump to the DOJ on at least four criminal charges, including insurrection and obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress.

What he's saying: "The committee looked at it long and hard, and from my vantage point, we couldn't do anything except make the referral," Thompson told CNN after the panel's hearing on Monday.

"It was clear in the evaluation of the evidence uncovered by our committee that those actions taken by ... former President Trump, clearly created a problem for this country," he added.

"I'm convinced that now that our committee has released our information, they will take the information that we've shared with them and proceed with the investigation," Thompson added. 

"I have no doubt that once the investigation proceeds and is concluded, if the evidence is as we presented it, I'm convinced the Justice Department will charge former President Trump. No one — including a former president — is above the law."

The big picture: The referrals are non-binding and do not require the DOJ to take any additional action but could inform the DOJ's own investigation into Trump.

 "Viewing it as a former prosecutor, I think there's sufficient evidence to charge the president," Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign last month.

Jan. 6 committee chair says he has "no doubt" DOJ will charge Trump

The committee voted Monday to refer Trump to the DOJ on at least four criminal charges, including insurrection.

Photo of Bennie Thompson speaking into a mic

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chair of the Jan. 6 select committee, speaks during the panel's last public hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 19, 2022. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump

2020 election

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

Two men, including the leader of Hawaii's Proud Boys chapter, were each sentenced to fours years in prison on Friday for their involvement in the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection.

Driving the news: Nicholas Ochs, 36, and Nicholas DeCarlo, 32, threw smoke bombs at the police line on Jan. 6 before breaching the Capitol. DeCarlo defaced the Memorial Door with the words, "Murder the Media," the name of their social media channel, as Ochs recorded the action, according to the Department of Justice.

Details: Ochs, who founded the Hawaii branch of the far-right Proud Boys, traveled to D.C. from Honolulu and met up in Virginia with DeCarlo, who traveled from Texas.

Once they stormed the Capitol, Ochs and DeCarlo also "rummaged through a U.S. Capitol Police duffel bag" while DeCarlo took a pair of plastic handcuffs, prosecutors said.

Walking away from the building, Ochs allegedly said, "Sorry we couldn’t go live when we stormed the f----in’ U.S. Capitol and made Congress flee."

Both men pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding in September. In addition to their prison terms, Ochs will have to pay a $5,000 fine, $2,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. DeCarlo will similarly have to pay a $2,500 fine, $2,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  

The big picture: The DOJ has arrested over 900 people in connection to the riots.

Worth noting: Ochs ran as a Republican for a seat in the Hawaii House of Representatives during the 2020 election but was defeated by Democrat Adrian Tam. 

Proud Boy who wrote "Murder the Media" on Capitol sentenced to 4 years in prison

Nicholas Ochs and Nicholas DeCarlo also threw smoke bombs at the police line on Jan. 6 before storming the Capitol.

Photo of a giant American flag flying over a crowd of pro-Trump supporters at the Capitol

Pro-Trump protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol grounds before breaching the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images

Capitol riot

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Wednesday that the Department of Justice is seeking access to "all the transcripts and all the other evidence" collected by the House Jan. 6 committee to use as part of the DOJ's own investigation.

Why it matters: His comments follow a monthslong effort to secure witness testimonies obtained behind closed doors. The DOJ previously suggested that the committee's failure to hand over witness transcripts undermines the federal investigation into the Capitol insurrection.

Between the lines: The panel, which has interviewed over 1,000 people, does not have the authority to pursue criminal charges. But the DOJ could use the evidence to bring in witnesses, including Trump associates, pursue potential criminal cases and conduct new interviews led by federal law enforcement officials.

What he's saying: "We would like to have all the transcripts and all the other evidence collected by the committee so that we can use it in the ordinary course of our investigations," Garland said at a news conference.

"We are asking for access for all of the transcripts and that’s really all I can say right now."

Pointing to the recent convictions of several Oath Keepers involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection, Garland added, "As the verdict of this case makes clear, the department will work tirelessly to hold accountable those responsible for crimes related to the attack on our democracy."

Their response: Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who chairs the House Jan. 6 committee, told reporters on the Hill Wednesday that the panel plans to publicly release transcripts of interviews and its long-awaited report before the Christmas holiday.

"We will share whatever we have with any agency that requests it just like the public will have access to our report and material, too," Thompson said.

Worth noting: The transcripts have served as a point of contention between the DOJ and committee members, some of whom have publicly criticized the DOJ's delay in acting on cases.

The big picture: The Justice Department has arrested over 900 people in connection with the riots. 

Some members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers involved in the riot have already pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy charges.

Hundreds of other defendants have pleaded guilty or were convicted of charges stemming from Jan. 6.

Go deeper: McCarthy tells Jan. 6 committee to preserve its findings

Garland reiterates DOJ's demand for all transcripts, evidence in House Jan. 6 probe

The DOJ previously suggested that the committee's failure to hand over transcripts undermines the federal Jan. 6 investigation.

Merrick Garland, U.S. attorney general, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 30, 2022. Photo: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The South Carolina Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a lower court ruling ordering former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to testify before a Georgia grand jury investigating efforts to overturn 2020 election results.

Why it matters: Meadows, a close ally to former President Trump, could be a key witness in the investigation. He and other Trump allies sought to avoid testifying after the grand jury issued subpoenas.

Meadows, who currently lives in South Carolina, had argued that he cannot be compelled to testify, claiming the special grand jury is not a criminal probe. 

What they're saying: "We have reviewed the arguments raised by Appellant and find them to be manifestly without merit," South Carolina’s Supreme Court justices wrote.

Don't forget: Meadows was on the line during a January 2021 phone call when Trump told Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find 11,780 votes."

A top aide to Meadows also testified to the Jan. 6 committee earlier this year that he warned Jan. 6 "might get real, real bad" in the days prior, suggesting he was aware of the risk of violence.

The big picture: Giuliani appeared before the grand jury in August after an unsuccessful attempt to avoid giving testimony.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also testified last week after a failed legal battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ultimately rejected his bid to block the grand jury's subpoena.

Go deeper: Meadows sought pardon after Jan. 6, his former top aide testifies

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. 

Mark Meadows must testify in Georgia election probe, S.C. Supreme Court rules

Meadows, a close ally to former President Trump, could be a key witness in the investigation.

Photo of Mark Meadows holding his glasses

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows speaks during a forum at FreedowmWorks headquarters on Nov. 14 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Drew Angerer via Getty Images

Mark Meadows (North Carolina politician)

U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Officer Howard Liebengood's suicide three days after the Jan. 6 insurrection was ruled a line-of-duty death on Monday.

The big picture: The decision by the Justice Department’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program ensures that Liebengood's family will be able to receive the health and financial benefits typically distributed to relatives of federal law enforcement who are killed in the line of fire. 

It also has larger implications for the profession, which has remained reluctant to link suicide to on-duty work due to stigma.

Liebengood was one of several officers who died by suicide in the months following the Capitol riots, where pro-Trump supporters' assault led to a slew of injuries among on-duty law enforcement.

He was patrolling the grounds on the Senate side when rioters breached the Capitol on Jan. 6, the Washington Post reports. 

Though he did not physically engage rioters, he assisted in riot control and was ordered to remain on duty "practically around the clock" for three days after the attack, according to his widow.

What they're saying: "The determination is significant, healing, relieving, and we are grateful for it," the Liebengood family said in a statement through the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

"We hope the changes to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program, which allowed Howie to receive this designation, will serve as a model for other entities that offer similar benefits and recognition."

"This is an important step in a longer effort to change outdated processes and attitudes," the statement added. "We also hope that this helps other families who have felt the pain of losing a loved one to suicide."

"We look forward to continuing to reduce the stigma around mental health and suicide for public safety officers — who make sacrifices for us all."

USCP supports the decision, a spokesperson said in a statement. "Suicide has become an epidemic in the law enforcement profession. We will continue to work with the Liebengood family to address this important issue." 

Worth noting: This is the first claim awarded under the Public Safety Officer Support Act signed into law in August, according to the FOP.

The measure was intended to expand access to benefits for family members of police officers who suffer PTSD or acute stress while on duty.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (En Español: 1-888-628-9454; Deaf and Hard of Hearing: dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Capitol Police officer's suicide after Jan. 6 ruled a line-of-duty death

"This is an important step in a longer effort to change outdated processes and attitudes," his family said.

A memorial to Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood is displayed in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 19, 2021. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Pennsylvania woman convicted of storming Pelosi's office on Jan. 6

"She was profane. She was obnoxious. She was threatening," a federal judge said. "She organized others to forcibly resist."

Photo of Riley Williams at the Jan. 6 insurrection on the left and her mug shot on the right

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Sen. Lindsey Graham's (R-S.C.) petition to temporarily block a subpoena seeking his testimony as part of a Georgia probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Why it matters: The move comes after Graham filed an emergency request to the court arguing that he is shielded from such probes as a sitting senator. It's the latest development in Graham's bid to avoid giving testimony in a case that has entangled Trump allies.

Justice Clarence Thomas had temporarily blocked the subpoena as an "administrative stay" while the court decided on Graham's request for relief.

What they're saying: "The lower courts assumed that the informal investigative fact-finding that Senator Graham assertedly engaged in constitutes legislative activity protected by the Speech or Debate Clause [...] and they held that Senator Graham may not be questioned about such activities," the Supreme Court's unsigned order states. 

"The lower courts also made clear that Senator Graham may return to the District Court should disputes arise regarding the application of the Speech or Debate Clause immunity to specific questions." 

"Accordingly, a stay or injunction is not necessary to safeguard the Senator's Speech or Debate Clause immunity," says the order, which did not note dissents. 

Worth noting: Fulton County prosecutors had said in response to Graham's request that the special grand jury overseeing the investigation "will unquestionably face delays and disruptions that will affect the entirety of its tenure" if the court temporarily blocks the subpoena.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details from the order. 

Atlanta

Atlanta Alerts

Atlanta Members

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Atlanta. Written by Emma Hurt, Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

Axios Atlanta Thought Bubble

Axios Atlanta

Lindsey Graham must testify in 2020 election probe, Supreme Court rules

The ruling comes after Graham filed an emergency request to the court arguing that he is shielded from such probes.

Photo of Lindsey Graham speaking while holding a mic and gesturing with his left hand

Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks during the America the Great tour panel discussion on Oct. 14, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo: Rebecca Noble via Getty Images

Supreme Court

Phoenix

Axios Phoenix

Arizona's Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich called 2020 election deniers "clowns that throw stuff against the wall and see what sticks" in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" broadcast Sunday.

Why it matters: Brnovich, who voted for former President Trump in 2020, noted that Kari Lake, the Republican nominee for governor, "is a denier," adding: "It's like a giant grift in some ways." 

Worth noting: Brnovich told CBS' Scott Pelley that Trump called him after the presidential election and said "all you gotta do is say the election's fraudulent, and you will be a superstar, you'll be the most popular guy in America."

The outgoing attorney general said he told Trump he didn't become attorney general to be a star and he didn't need anybody, "whether it's a former president, or any other person validating what I'm doing and why I'm doing it."

By the numbers: After extensive investigations, Arizona officials have indicted 12 people in cases involving a total of 12 ballots in a state President Biden won by 10,000 votes.

 The bottom line: Brnovich told Pelley election officials "deal in facts and evidence" and claims of fraud are "horses**t." 

"Most of it's horses**t, and I've been trying to scrape it off my shoes for the last year," he added.

Thought bubble: Brnovich's position on election fraud has been inconsistent and his vocal opposition to election denialism is pretty newfound.

Zoom in: He was the first noteworthy elected Republican in Arizona to say Trump lost the 2020 election. And Brnovich urged the Justice Department earlier this month to investigate the conservative nonprofit True The Vote for its grifting on its "2000 Mules" movie — which has made claims about the 2020 election that have been widely debunked. 

But during his unsuccessful GOP primary campaign for the state's U.S. Senate seat, Brnovich put out an "interim report" on the "audit" investigation, which the Republican-led Maricopa County refuted for being "full of false innuendo and misrepresentations."

He also said on Steve Bannon's podcast "we all know what happened in 2020." 

The big picture: More than 200 election deniers — candidates promoting baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump — will appear on November general election ballots across the U.S, Axios' David Nather notes.

The Republican nominees for Arizona governor, secretary of state and attorney general all deny the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department and the FBI have identified Arizona as one of the top states for threats to election officials and poll workers due to widespread misinformation about election fraud.

Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Go deeper: Democrats fear Arizona Republican Kari Lake will be a big star 

Editor's note: This article has been updated with further context. 

Phoenix Members

Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with the Axios Phoenix newsletter.

Axios Phoenix Thought Bubble

Phoenix Alerts

Arizona's Republican AG calls election fraud claims "horses**t"

He said on "60 Minutes" Trump told him in a call if he said the election's fraudulent "you will be a superstar."

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich during his interview with CBS' "60 Minutes," broadcast Sunday.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich during his interview with CBS' "60 Minutes," broadcast Sunday. Screenshot: CBS News

2020 presidential election

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows is urging a judge to reject an effort to subpoena him as part of a 2020 election probe in Georgia, Politico reports.

Why it matters: Meadows, who was on the line for a January 2021 phone call during which former President Trump told Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find 11,780 votes," would serve as a key witness in the Fulton County investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election. 

Meadows was also present for an audit of Georgia's election results in December 2020.

He is arguing that he can't be compelled to testify because the special grand jury's investigation doesn't meet the standard for a criminal probe, per Politico.

Worth noting: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has also resisted a subpoena in the same probe and appealed its enforcement to the Supreme Court, which temporarily blocked the subpoena this week.

The big picture: The special grand jury has subpoenaed several Trump allies in recent months, including lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and former White House counsel Pat Cipollone testified before the special grand jury this year, CNN notes.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has said she won’t rule out the possibility of subpoenaing Trump himself.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.

Go deeper: Meadows warned Jan. 6 could be "real, real bad," former top aide testifies

Mark Meadows asks judge to reject subpoena in Georgia election probe

The former White House chief of staff would serve as a key witness.

Photo of Mark Meadows looking at Donald Trump

Then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows listens as Donald Trump speaks to the press outside the White House on Oct. 30, 2020 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) asked the Supreme Court Friday to block a subpoena issued by the Atlanta special grand jury investigating possible criminal efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Driving the news: Graham — one of several Republicans who reportedly pressed  Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to reverse Trump's 2020 loss in the state — filed the emergency request one day after a federal appeals court ruled that Graham must testify before the jury.

Graham has argued that his post-election efforts in Georgia count as legislative activity and as such are protected from these types of investigations, but the three-judge panel on the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and a lower district court judge said a narrowed scope of questioning by the jury wouldn't violate his rights as a sitting senator.

Graham's request was filed to Justice Clarence Thomas, who oversees emergency applications from the 11th Circuit.

Worth noting: Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and former White House counsel Pat Cipollone testified before the special grand jury in recent months, per CNN.

This story has been updated with additional details.

Lindsey Graham asks SCOTUS to block subpoena from Atlanta grand jury in 2020 election probe

A federal appeals court ruled this week that Graham must testify before the jury.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) listens at hearing.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) listens as Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, former head of security at Twitter, testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee on data security at Twitter, on Capitol Hill, September 13, 2022 in Washington, DC. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Lindsey Graham

Sneak Peek

Axios Sneak Peek

Moments after taking the oath of office, President Biden sought to soothe a nation riven by political divisions and a global pandemic, while warning that "we have far to go" to heal the country and defeat a "virus that silently stalks the the country."

Why it matters: From the same steps that a pro-Trump mob launched an assault on Congress two weeks earlier, the new president paid deference to the endurance of American political institutions. 

What they're saying: "This is America's day. This is democracy's day. The day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve," Biden said.

"Through a crucible through the ages, America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge. Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause. The cause of democracy," he continued.

"Democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed."

Biden vowed to "confront domestic terrorism," and channeled former President Abraham Lincoln in his pledge to help "bring America together and united our nation." 

"This is a great nation. We are good people." Biden said. "But victory is never assured."

Biden directly addressed Trump's supporters and asked them to "hear me out" before vowing to be "a president for all Americans." "We must end this uncivil war."

Trump, breaking with tradition, did not attend his successor's inauguration.

Biden at one point in the speech led the country in prayer, acknowledging he will take on the presidency at a time the U.S. remains polarized and in the grips of a coronavirus crisis that has killed more than 400,000 Americans.

"We will press forward with speed and urgency," he said. "For we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, and much to gain."

"My whole soul is in it. Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this."

What to watch: While Biden's speech included olive branches to Trump supporters, his immediate actions are aimed at reversing many of the policies that Trump imposed in the opening days of his presidency. 

After the speech, Biden will return to the White House, where he served as vice president just eight years ago, with 15 executive actions awaiting his presidential signature. 

His flurry of executive actions is the start of an ambitious agenda to reverse much of Trump's legacy.

Inaugural address: Biden vows to be "a president for all Americans"

Biden also directly addressed Trump’s supporters and asked them to “hear me out."

Politics

Joe Biden

Some elected Republicans are breaking ranks with President Trump to acknowledge that President-elect Biden won the 2020 presidential election.

Why it matters: The relative sparsity of acknowledgements highlights Trump's lasting power in the GOP, as his campaign moves to file multiple lawsuits alleging voter fraud in key swing states — despite the fact that there have been no credible allegations of any widespread fraud anywhere in the U.S.

Sen. Susan Collins (Maine): "I would offer my congratulations to President-elect Biden on his apparent victory. ... I urge people to be patient. The process has not failed our country in more than 200 years, and it is not going to fail our country this year."

Sen. John Cornyn (Texas), when asked by reporters if Biden would be the next president: "I haven't seen anything that would change the outcome."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska): "I congratulate President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris and will be ready to work with their administration when it takes office."

Sen. Mitt Romney (Utah): "Ann and I extend our congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. We know both of them as people of good will and admirable character. We pray that God may bless them in the days and years ahead."

Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), when asked by reporters about a new national intelligence director in the incoming Biden administration: "That'll be the president-elect's decision."

Sen. Ben Sasse (Neb.): "Today in our house we pray for both President Trump and President-Elect Biden, that both would be wise in the execution of their respective duties during this important time in our nation."

Sen. Pat Toomey (Pa.) congratulated Biden and said: "President Trump has exhausted all plausible legal options to challenge the result of the presidential race in Pennsylvania. ... To ensure that he is remembered for these outstanding accomplishments, and to help unify our country, President Trump should accept the outcome of the election and facilitate the presidential transition process."

Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.): "With Michigan’s certifying it’s results, Joe Biden has over 270 electoral college votes. President Trump’s legal team has not presented evidence of the massive fraud which would have had to be present to overturn the election. I voted for President Trump but Joe Biden won."

Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.): "Since it seems apparent that Joe Biden will be the president-elect, my hope is that President Trump will take pride in his considerable accomplishments, put the country first and have a prompt and orderly transition to help the new administration succeed. When you are in public life, people remember the last thing you do.”

Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio) called for the General Services Administration to release funds for the Biden transition: "Based on all the information currently available, neither the final lawful vote counts nor the recounts have led to a different outcome in any state. In other words, the initial determination showing Joe Biden with enough electoral votes to win has not changed."

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.V.): "I have been clear that President Trump like any candidate for office has the right to request recounts and to raise legal claims before our courts. However, at some point, the 2020 election must end. … If states certify the results as they currently stand, Vice President Joe Biden will be our next president and Senator Kamala Harris will be our next vice president.” 

The top Republicans who have acknowledged Biden as president-elect

The fact that so few have done so highlights Trump's lasting power in the GOP.

All 2020 election stories