Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox
Get our free Inside Washington email
The chairman of the House select committee investigating the January 6 riot at the US Capitol told reporters that the committee has decided to make criminal referrals, CNNreported.
Representative Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the committee, told reporters that the committee had not narrowed down which people would be referred to the US Department of Justice.
When asked if he believed any witnesses perjured themselves, the Mississippi Democrat said “that’s part of the discussion.” The select committee is set to meet later on Tuesday.
Mr Thompson’s words came as the committee’s mandate is about to come to an end. During its last hearing, it subpoenaed former president Donald Trump.
The committee has also created a subcommittee to determine how to present evidence of possible perjury, obstruction or witness tampering. The subcommittee reportedly includes committee vice chairwoman Liz Cheney along with Democratic Representatives Jamie Raskin, Zoe Lofgren and Adam Schiff. All four members of the subcommittee are attorneys.
But four members of the select committee will exit Congress at the end of this year. Representatives Stephanie Murphy of Florida and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois opted not to seek re-election. Vice Chairwoman Liz Cheney lost her primary for Wyoming’s at-large district while Democratic Representative Elaine Luria lost to Republican Jen Kiggans in Virginia’s 2nd district.
In addition, Republicans’ victory in the midterm election means that the work of oversight and investigation into the January 6 riot will likely come under more aggressive scrutiny.
