Former US President Donald Trump "probably" committed a felony in an attempt to obstruct Congress when he tried to influence the election confirmation on January 6, 2021, a US judge said.
The claim was made in a ruling that ruled that the House committee investigating the deadly attack on the US Capitol has the right to see emails written to Trump by his lawyer, John Eastman. The court considers Trump's plan to overturn the election results to be a "coup d'état."
"Based on the evidence, the Court finds it probable that President Trump corruptly attempted to obstruct a joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021," said Los Angeles County District Court Judge David Carter's written decision.
Judge Carter has no authority to file criminal charges against Trump.
That decision, due to violations of federal law, should be made by US Attorney General Merrick Garland.
The riot at the Capitol occurred as then-Vice President Mike Pence and members of both houses of Congress met to confirm Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the November 2020 election.
"Dr. Eastman and President Trump have launched a campaign to overturn a democratic election, an activity unprecedented in American history," Carter wrote.
The Democratic-led committee was formed to investigate last year's attack on the Capitol by thousands of Trump supporters. More than 750 have been criminally charged.
The committee said earlier this month that it believed Trump may have committed multiple crimes.
Before crowds stormed the Capitol, Trump gave a fiery speech in which he falsely claimed his election defeat was the result of widespread fraud, a claim rejected by multiple courts, state election officials and members of his own administration.
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