With his customary even, understated tone, special prosecutor Jack Smith announced the devastating charges against Donald Trump and six co-conspirators for his attempt to subvert the 2020 election.
Here is what he said, but it's better watched. You can read the indictment here.
January 6th, 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy.
It's described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies.
Lies by the defendant, targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the US government, the nation's process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.
The men and women of law enforcement who defended the US Capitol on January 6th are heroes.
They are patriots and they are the very best of us.
They did not just defend a building or the people sheltering in it.
They put their lives in the line to defend who we are as a country and as a people.
They defended the very institutions and principles that define the United States.
Since the attack on our Capitol, the Department of Justice has remained committed to ensuring accountability for those criminally responsible for what happened that day.
This case is brought consistent with that commitment and our investigation of other individuals continues.
In this case, my office will seek a speedy trial so that our evidence can be tested in court and judged by a jury of citizens.
