WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) issued a statement following the January 6th Committee’s criminal referrals to the Department of Justice:
“These criminal referrals are necessary, historic and reflect the gravity of the unprecedented and dangerous actions taken by former President Trump, and his allies, who by force and lies sought to overturn a democratic election through a calculated conspiracy. Never before has a sitting president fomented a violent insurrection with the aid of right-wing extremists and white supremacists. Trump’s actions endangered the lives of members of Congress, staff, reporters, police officers, and he is responsible for the deaths of the officers who died in the aftermath of January 6th. Former President Trump’s dereliction of duty will be written into the history books as a dark moment of Constitutional crisis and his administration a stain upon the storied pages of our democracy.
“As the Select Committee wraps their important work, I remain ever concerned by ongoing devolution of the Republican Party and their unwavering loyalty to a man who believes in terminating the Constitution. I thank the January 6th Committee for their commitment to the preservation of democracy and truth and the Republican members who were willing to put country over party. Moving forward, the Department of Justice and special prosecutor Jack Smith must move quickly to act on the presented evidence and fully hold accountable all those involved in the insurrection and coup against our government.”