DeGette statement on Jan. 6 committee’s criminal referral against Donald Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), one of the nine House impeachment managers who presented the case against President Trump to the Senate last year, on the bipartisan January 6 Committee’s unanimous vote today to refer former President Trump to the Dept. of Justice for criminal prosecution:

“This is an unprecedented moment for our country. Never before has Congress referred a former president to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, but never before has a former president incited a violent insurrection to overturn the results of a legitimate election.

“The evidence presented is overwhelming. President Trump put himself above the country he swore to protect. He launched a deadly, brazen attack on the U.S. Capitol building to remain in power against the will of the people. There is no higher crime against our democracy. There is no greater betrayal of the public’s trust than what President Trump did that day.

“For the future sake of our democracy, he must be held accountable. No one in this country is above the law, not even former presidents.”