"The leak was published in the New York Times on Saturday as Democrats mount increasing pressure on the Justice Department to take action against Trump and people within his orbit in relation to the Capitol riot. At focus are Attorney General Merrick Garland and his "deliberative approach," as the report put it, which is causing frustration.
"As recently as late last year, Mr. Biden confided to his inner circle that he believed former President Donald J. Trump was a threat to democracy and should be prosecuted, according to two people familiar with his comments," the report read. "And while the president has never communicated his frustrations directly to Mr. Garland, he has said privately that he wanted Mr. Garland to act less like a ponderous judge and more like a prosecutor who is willing to take decisive action over the events of Jan. 6."
"Just what Trump would be prosecuted for is unclear. However, the House committee investigating the Capitol riot says its investigators have reason to believe Trump and his associates broke multiple laws in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. In a recent court filing for John Eastman, a Trump-linked conservative lawyer, the panel said it has evidence to show Trump may have engaged in a criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States and illegally impede Congress's counting of electoral votes.
"Nevertheless, the House committee can only make a criminal referral, leaving the onus on the Justice Department.
"Trump and his associates have repeatedly denied any criminality related to the Capitol riot, which took place on the day Congress met to certify Biden's 2020 election victory, and its surrounding events. One former aide, Steve Bannon, has been indicted on contempt charges for refusing to comply with subpoenas from the Jan. 6 committee, while another, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, has so far escaped prosecution.
"White House spokesman Andrew Bates offered comment for the article, insisting that Biden "is immensely proud of the attorney general’s service in this administration and has no role in investigative priorities or decisions.". . .
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