We are learning more about the DOJ’s January 6th survey

What is Topline Development?

Important thing: It’s been a busy two weeks! What is the rough stroke of what we have learned about the Justice Ministry’s investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 elections?

Polanc: Broadly speaking, it has already been wiped out and is expanding. The biggest developments in the last few weeks are:

There are other points to note.

We know that for complex investigations across elite politics, DOJ is asking witnesses not only about Trump’s voters, but also about holding a Trump support rally on January 6. Attempted to thwart the results of the 2020 presidential election. These surveys touch on many potential players up to Trump.

No one has been charged from those feet yet. But they are important research to watch.

Will riots lead to fake voters?

Important thing: There are two clear things you’re writing-the proud boys’ sedition conspiracy indicting the Capitol and the fake voter controversy by the Trump campaign. Both the rebellion and efforts to overturn the election will be addressed at the January 6 Commission Hearing at Capitol Hill. Is it your sense that these two things-a fake voter and a confusing legitimate voter-are together in a criminal case?

We find that all investigations of right-wing groups, January 6 violent actors, rallying organizations, and fake voters fall under the banner of DOJ’s January 6 investigation, which ran out of the United States. I am. Washington, DC law firm.

That does not mean that the cases in it will be merged. However, in some cases, the evidence that becomes apparent can lead researchers to others.

Both of these tactics disinformation to Trump followers across the country that the elections may have been stolen and urged the public to descend to Capitol Hill to insist on “stopping the theft.” Under that framework, investigators are currently looking for violations of federal criminal law.

Who are these surveys focused on?

Important thing: Who will be the subject of a survey of Georgian voters?

Polanc: The list seems long so far-and focuses primarily on those who served as Trump voters themselves, as well as Trump campaign lawyers and a few other close advisers. ..

Is Trump at risk?

Important thing: How do you feel about whether the Justice Department can prosecute the former president?

Polanc: Whether the Justice Department can and will prosecute the former president is a very complex issue.

What about other surveys?

Important thing: Georgia is also investigating efforts to overturn election results. Will the Justice Department wait for the state or will it go first?

Polanc: The degree of interaction between these two research institutions is not exactly known. But usually, with something like this, they perform their investigations separately.

How about going beyond Georgia?

Important thing: The main evidence in Georgia is the record that Trump urged state officials to “find” a vote, but there was also pressure from Trump on officials in other states. Does this survey seem to extend outside Georgia?

Are Comey’s rules still a problem?

Important thing: It’s the year of the election. I thought the Justice Department was supposed to silence investigations that could affect elections, the so-called comedy rules. Is it still that policy? How does that affect what is happening at the DOJ now?

Polanc: CNN Evan Perez was recently able to report that the Justice Department’s top executives are really keeping in mind that it may be necessary to suspend the issuance of subpoenas later this summer for the midterm elections. rice field.

The Justice Department usually strives not to take explicit investigative measures during the two months prior to the election, but in this situation, this vast investigation is exactly where this will reduce in quiet times. It is unknown whether to draw a line.

Will these developments calm the criticism of Garland?

Important thing: Attorney General Garland was previously criticized for not pursuing more systematic investigations of the riots and efforts to overturn elections. Is what we have learned to be quiet knocking on him?

There has always been a small gap between public perceptions of this investigation and actual actions being taken. Despite sufficient criticism that Garland is slow and not offensive, the Justice Department has charged more than 800 defendants and secured guilty fleas from more than one-third of them. It’s a large business for justice arbitrage. This is the largest federal survey in history.

As the prosecutor says, the investigation takes time. Under the law, the Justice Department has five years to investigate and prosecute them as they deem appropriate. We have just reached the end of the first quarter.