Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a prominent California Democrat who played a leading role in the Jan. 6 committee, noted that one of the striking observations from their work was Trump’s determination to follow through on his words. “When Trump says something, he fully intends to carry it out,” she remarked.
“He plans to exploit the Department of Justice as a weapon…to target individuals like me,” expressed Michael Fanone, a former Washington, D.C., police officer, during an interview with CBS News. Fanone, who testified at a public hearing held by the committee in 2021, has been vocal in his criticism of Trump, accusing him of utilizing authoritarian language.
According to Fanone, he is explicitly stating his intentions.
According to Harry Dunn, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer and witness before the select committee, there is reason for concern for anyone who has testified against or criticized Trump. Dunn, who is currently running for a U.S. House seat in Maryland as a Democratic Party nominee, acknowledged the fear of potential arrest but emphasized the importance of staying committed to doing what is right.
The Trump campaign avoided answering questions about whether Trump plans to take action against the Jan. 6 committee members.
According to Erica Frantz, a political science professor at Michigan State University, this kind of post is not what one would expect from political leaders in a thriving democracy. Frantz, who specializes in authoritarian politics, emphasized that when political leaders start advocating for the imprisonment of their opponents, it raises concerns about the potential slide towards authoritarianism.
Frantz highlighted the potential chilling effect that can occur when political figures discuss imprisoning their critics.
The select committee conducted a highly publicized investigation into Trump, which involved a series of nationally televised hearings. During the investigation, the committee interviewed numerous witnesses, including Trump’s top White House aides, as it examined his attempts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election. Ultimately, the committee voted to refer criminal charges against Trump to the Justice Department, accusing him of endangering democracy and inciting the violent insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th.
The committee disbanded in late 2022 following the Republicans’ victory in the House. Cheney, along with two other members, lost their reelection campaigns, while two others retired from the House.
Aguilar expressed concerns to reporters last week about the potential consequences of Trump’s ongoing rhetoric. He emphasized that such rhetoric increases the likelihood of public officials facing harassment, threats, and danger. Aguilar drew a comparison, stating that Trump’s behavior resembled that of dictators hosted at Mar-a-Lago. Aguilar highlighted the seriousness with which all members of the Dome view this issue.
