Federal Judge Finds Trump Likely Committed Crimes Over 2020 Election

THE NEW YORK TIMES: “The illegality of the plan was obvious,” the judge wrote in a civil case, referring to the former president’s efforts to persuade Vice President Mike Pence to upend the certification of the Electoral College results.

The House committee investigating the Capitol riot said it had accumulated evidence that President Donald J. Trump and his allies could potentially be charged with criminal violations. On Monday, a federal judge essentially agreed. | Audra Melton for The New York Times
WASHINGTON — A federal judge ruled on Monday that former President Donald J. Trump and a lawyer who advised him on how to overturn the 2020 election most likely committed felonies, including obstructing the work of Congress and conspiring to defraud the United States.

The judge’s comments marked a significant breakthrough for the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, which had laid out in a civil filing the crimes it believed Mr. Trump might have committed as it weighs making a criminal referral to the Justice Department.

“The illegality of the plan was obvious,” wrote Judge David O. Carter of the Central District of California. “Our nation was founded on the peaceful transition of power, epitomized by George Washington laying down his sword to make way for democratic elections. Ignoring this history, President Trump vigorously campaigned for the vice president to single-handedly determine the results of the 2020 election.” » | Luke Broadwater and Alan Feuer | Monday, March 28, 2022