Congressman Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Select Committee on January 6, told reporters on Tuesday that the panel would make criminal referrals.
“Yes,” said the Mississippi Democrat in response to a reporter’s question on the matter. He later said, “We made decisions on the criminal references.
Thompson did not reveal which witnesses the committee plans to remove, and he said the panel has not yet finalized the list of people it plans to remove.
He said the committee plans to meet later on Tuesday afternoon, and he expects criminal referrals to be part of its discussion.
Thompson also confirmed that the panel is looking into whether any of the witnesses perjured themselves before the committee. The referrals, he said, would be separate from the committee’s final report on the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol and would be contained in a document he sends to the Justice Department.
The panel, however, issued a statement after Thompson’s remarks that did not say the panel’s criminal dismissals were a certainty. “The committee has determined that referrals to outside entities should be considered the last part of its work,” the select committee said. “The committee will make decisions on the details in the coming days.”
Later Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Pete Aguilar, who is also on the panel, also told reporters, “We haven’t finalized a decision yet; our options are on the table. References to outside agencies are possible.”
A date has not yet been announced for the release of the committee’s report. Thompson would only say it would be “as soon as possible” as the committee continues “to try to resolve everything.”
As to whether a criminal reference for former President Donald Trump is still being considered, Thompson told reporters, “Good try.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.