Reed: Trump Must Answer for Capitol Riot

WASHINGTON, DC — The January 6 Committee ended its likely final hearing Thursday with a subpoena for former president Donald J. Trump to answer for orchestrating the Capitol riots, which nearly prevented certification of President Joe Biden’s election and entangled four Rhode Islanders in its aftermath.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) was of the same mind on the call to hold Trump to account after the recent hearing underlined Trump’s acknowledgment of his election loss and his efforts to thwart the will of voters. The insurrection aimed at overturning the Presidential election has been the subject of Congressional hearings focusing on President Donald J. Trump’s actions that day.

“I agree that Donald Trump should testify under oath about his role in the attack on our democracy.  On January 6, 2021, brave U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers fought for their lives against a mob of thousands of Trump’s foot soldiers.  This armed assault on the U.S. Capitol was planned in advance by Trump’s lieutenants to try and stop the counting of votes so Trump could cling to power.

“The Committee laid out the facts of the case and those facts paint a damning portrait of Donald Trump.  Several of his own aides testified that Trump knew he lost the 2020 election.  But he declared victory anyway and caused an insurrection.  The Committee demonstrated that the former President lied to the American people and violated his oath to uphold the Constitution,” Reed said in a statement following the latest hearing.

Rhode Islanders charged in, present at, or interviewed regarding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Bernard Joseph Sirr, North Kingstown, RI

Bernard Joseph Sirr, 47, of North Kingstown, RI, a facility engineer at the RI Nuclear Science Center, site of the state’s sole nuclear reactor, was arrested in North Kingstown June 30 on felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from his actions at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 during the Capitol riots.

Timothy Desjardins, Providence, RI

In November, Timothy Desjardins, 35, of Providence, RI was charged with engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a dangerous weapon during the Capitol riots. In November, Timothy Desjardins, 35, of Providence, RI was charged with engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a dangerous weapon during the Capitol riots.

Justin K. Price, Dist. 39 (Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond) Representative

When RI Public Radio reporter Ian Donnis reported RI Rep. Justin K. Price R-Dist. 39 (Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond)’s attendance at the Capitol during the attacks, and his tweeted conspiracy theory that Antifa (a philosophy, not a political organization) was behind the pro- President Donld J. Trump mob (since deleted but preserved by Donnis), state officials and lawmakers called for his resignation and expulsion from the General Assembly.

Michael, Flynn, Ret. U.S. Army Lt. General, former U.S. National Security Advisor during the Trump administration, Middletown, RI

Flynn, a native and resident of Middletown, RI, repeatedly pleaded the Fifth when asked during the Jan. 6 hearings by Rep. Liz Cheney about whether he believes violence was justified Jan. 6. He also pleaded the Fifth when directly asked if he believes in the peaceful transition of power.

The Jan. 6 Committee sought to interview Flynn about an Oval Office meeting at which Trump and others allegedly discussed seizing voting machines, according to NBC News.

 

 

 

 

“Those who continue to deny the 2020 election results refuse to acknowledge reality.