AG Garland does not rule out prosecuting Trump over Jan. 6

Attorney General Merrick Garland has not ruled out prosecuting former President Donald Trump as being “criminally responsible” for the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 by his supporters.

In a CBS interview airing Tuesday evening, the nation’s chief law enforcement officer was reportedly asked by host Lester Holt whether indicting a former president would “arguably tear the country apart.”

"Look, we pursue justice without fear or favor,” Garland replied.

"We intend to hold everyone, anyone who was criminally responsible for the events surrounding Jan. 6, for any attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power from one administration to another, accountable," Garland continued.

"That’s what we do."

"So if Donald Trump were to become a candidate for president again, that would not change your schedule or how you move forward or don’t move forward?" Holt asked, referring to intense speculation that Trump will soon announce another run.

"I’ll say again that we will hold accountable anyone who is criminally responsible for attempting to interfere with the transfer — legitimate, lawful transfer of power from one administration to the next," Garland answered.

The former president and reality TV star has drawn considerable attention from the media, political analysts and voters over the past few months with hints he will be returning to the presidential campaign trail, despite the televised hearings of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.

Prominent conservative newspapers blasted Trump last weekend over evidence that he sat in his private dining room and watched the Jan. 6 attack unfold on TV, doing little to stop the attackers for hours.

Trump said in an interview with New York Magazine that he had come to a decision about running for president in 2024 but was waiting for the right time to announce it.

Republican analysts are hoping that Trump does not announce his intent to run until after the midterm elections, fearing it will reinvigorate Democrats amid President Joe Biden’s abysmal approval ratings.