Schiff says Trump broke law, refuses to reveal specific criminal referrals ahead of Jan. 6 meeting

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, said Sunday the House Jan. 6 committee had evidence that former President Donald Trump broke the law, but he declined to elaborate on the criminal referrals he he could do before the final panel meeting on Monday.

In a CNN “State of the Union” interview, committee member Schiff cited Trump’s multiple efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, including pressuring government officials. state to accept his false allegations of widespread voter fraud. . “If that’s not criminal, then I don’t know what is,” he said.

Schiff, however, declined to comment on possible referrals the committee could make, saying the panel should vote on them and will reveal its decision on Monday, as well as release its final report later this month.

“But I can tell you that our process was to meticulously review the evidence and compare it to various laws. Is there sufficient evidence for each element of a particular crime? ” he said. “We are not referring, or at least voting to refer, anyone for whom we think there may be evidence, because we want to focus on those for whom we think there is the strongest evidence. .”

The committee, which has provided for the possibility of removing Trump to the Justice Department for a felony, is actively considering charges of insurrection, obstruction of congressional due process and conspiracy.

While all three are possible, the panel has yet to make a final decision, three sources involved in the committee’s deliberations told NBC News last week. These potential recommendations are not necessarily restricted to Trump and could also include referrals to other government agencies or the House Ethics Committee.

Schiff reiterated that he believes the former president “violated multiple criminal laws” and should be prosecuted like any other American who breaks the law.

When asked if the panel would remove members of Congress who ignored the panel’s ethics committee subpoenas, Schiff said his decision on the “appropriate remedy” for those lawmakers — which includes Reps. Jim Jordan, R. -Ohio and Scott Perry, R – Penn. – will also be made public on Monday.

“We weighed: what is the cure for members of Congress? Is this a criminal referral to another branch of government, or is it better for Congress to control its own? he said, adding that the panel considered the censorship and ethics referrals.

ryan noble, Haley Talbot, Ali Vitali, Jonathan Allen and Garrett Haake contributed.