Jan. 6 committee refers Trump to DOJ for criminal charges

Criminal referrals on multiple charges were approved unanimously.

ByAlexandra Hutzler and Libby Cathey
Last Updated: December 20, 2022, 6:27 AM EST

The House select committee examining the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol has held its final public meeting.

The panel voted to approve criminal referrals for former President Donald Trump regarding his failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

Here's how the story developed:

Dec 19, 2022, 7:43 AM EST

Committee expected to recommend criminal charges

Monday is the last public meeting of the Jan. 6 committee, with ABC News learning members are expected to recommend criminal charges be pursued against former President Donald Trump in connection with the Capitol attack nearly two years ago.

Sources familiar with the committee’s deliberations say the recommended charges will include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding. The committee also is considering recommending Trump be charged with insurrection.

US President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

Members have been working against the clock to try to finish their work before Republicans take control of the House in the new year.

Any decision about whether to bring any charges against the former president would be left to the Department of Justice. DOJ has been conducting its own parallel investigation into the events of Jan. 6 and isn't obligated to act on congressional referrals.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders

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