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His top advisers had told former President Donald Trump that allegations of widespread election manipulation were illegitimate, according to video evidence aired Monday by the Commission investigating the January 6, 2021 riots.
The special commission argued that Mr. Trump decided to defend the claim that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen,” even though many of his aides said Democrat Joe Biden had won.
“He and his closest advisers knew those allegations were false, but they continued to insist on the allegations until the moment when a crowd of supporters of former President Trump attacked the Capitol,” said Democratic lawmaker Zoe Lofgren at the hearing. second for this purpose.
In a video recording, former Attorney General William Barr clearly denied the allegations, calling them “insane.”
“If he really believes that, then he is disconnected from reality,” Barr said.
Former President Trump has consistently insisted he had not lost the election, calling the commission investigation the witch-hunt.
Also Monday, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Bill Stepien, abruptly withdrew from the hearing after his wife was giving birth. However the commission broadcast excerpts from interviews with him conducted earlier.
Mr. Stepien was expected to be an important witness for the commission investigating the January 6 events.
The commission broadcast video of Mr Stepien’s testimony before investigators, as well as video interviews with Mr Trump’s other close aides – including his daughter Ivanka – describing election day events when former President Trump was told it was too early for to declare victory.
“It was becoming clear that the result would not come out on election night,” said Ivanka Trump.
Mr. Stepien said his recommendation was for Mr. Trump to say that the votes were still being counted, that it was too early to announce the result, but that he was proud of the race he had made.
Matthew Morgan, Trump’s chief campaign lawyer, said in video testimony that any allegations of fraud would not change the outcome of the election.
“Mr. Trump’s campaign legal team knew there was no legitimate argument for allegations of fraud, irregularities, or any factors that overthrew the election,” said Republican Vice President Liz Cheney.
There are several witnesses at today’s hearing, including a prosecutor who abruptly resigned as Mr. Trump pressured Georgia state officials to change the election result in that state.
Commission members say they have found enough evidence for the Justice Department to consider the possibility of an unprecedented criminal lawsuit against the former president.
Mississippi Democrat President Bennie Thompson and Vice President Liz Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming, are chairing the session. The first public hearing, held last week, was televised by about 20 million Americans.
Over the past year, the commission has been investigating the most violent attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812, to make sure such an action is never repeated.
Lawmakers hope to prove that Mr. Trump’s attempt to overthrow Mr. Biden won the election posed a major threat to democracy.
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