Former US President Donald Trump is facing legal consequences for his role in the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The US House of Representatives Committee of Inquiry has unanimously recommended that the Justice Department take criminal action against Trump and others involved. This is how the press judged the move.
"Nepszava" (Budapest): It is not only a political question whether the attempt to seize power and introduce a dictatorship will go unpunished. Sweeping events under the rug would only encourage imitators, who might include fascists more talented than Donald Trump. The important thing is not that he ends up in prison, but that his fate serves as a warning for the future - otherwise democracy could be lost, not only on the other side of the Atlantic.
"The Guardian" (London): This will rather spur on Trump's fight for the Republican presidential nomination and reinforce his belief that power is the best form of protection. Should there be an indictment, it could strengthen rather than change the convictions of his die-hard supporters. More than two-thirds of Republicans still believe Biden's victory was illegitimate. Nevertheless, they turn away from the former president in polls. A large majority of Republican voters, as well as pro-party independents, believe another candidate should be fielded in 2024. (...) It would be very foolish to write off the 45th President. For years he has defied the laws of political gravity, surviving scandals and crimes that would have brought down any other candidate or incumbent. The Republican elite has been silent for a remarkably long time or is keeping a low profile. And even if he doesn't get the upper hand, others are already using his script.
"Neue Züricher Zeitung": An indictment of Trump is still a long way off. Only the Ministry of Justice can raise one. But it's another step toward breaking a taboo: never before in American history has an incumbent or former president been prosecuted. This is not because there was never a reason for it, but because of the possible consequences for the functioning of democracy.
The impression that a politically controlled judiciary was pursuing opponents without compelling reason shook the self-image of a smooth, peaceful transfer of power. At the same time, however, one of the founding myths of the United States, which emerged in the struggle against the British monarchs, is that no one is above the law. (...) Trump and many Republicans will present an indictment as a politically motivated witch hunt. It might even do the former president more good than harm. If his attempted coup were to have no consequences, the risks would be even greater."
"Houston Chronicle": The ball is now firmly in the hands of (US Attorney General Merrick) Garland. The Justice Department, which is conducting its own investigation, now has fresh evidence that Trump instigated an insurrection to overthrow the government. (...) But aside from blaming Trump and his suckers for undermining key US institutions, the bipartisan committee's work also exposed the weakness and vulnerability of our electoral system (...). This needs to be fixed. (...) Perhaps there will come a day when the Republican Party will wake up and find the Trump moment in US history so hair-raising that it must have been a dream (if not a nightmare). But we're not there yet. The questioning, doubting, and blaming are growing louder, but the post-Trump party is not fully awake yet. (...) Republican mirrors may still be fogged up, at least for the time being, but we have to believe that something will change. The party and the country should thank the bipartisan committee on January 6 for the much-needed wake-up call.
"Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung": President Joe Biden is therefore well advised to keep as much distance as possible from law enforcement. Any impression of influence would be counterproductive. The bitter irony of the story is quite different. In fact, the Democrat in the White House cannot personally have any interest in preventing his predecessor from running again: Since the crushing defeats of his right-wing extremist pupils in the midterm elections, Trump has been badly hit. He would probably be the easiest opponent for Biden.
"Berliner Morgenpost": Of course it is possible that Justice Minister Merrick Garland will not indict the former president. If he comes to the conclusion that he can bring Trump a watertight trial that leads to a conviction, he will likely press charges. If, on the other hand, he considers an acquittal to be more likely, then there is a high probability that he will refrain from criminal prosecution. Another question is about Trump's political future. Answer: not promising. Because of the numerous defeats in the midterm elections for which he is responsible and for which the Republicans, who are increasingly turning their backs on him, do not forgive him. Trump has a good chance of remaining a free man, but less of being re-elected president.
"Wiesbadener Kurier": Could criminal investigations against the ex-president further divide the country, as his former deputy Mike Pence warns? That may well be the case, but for the sake of peace, so to speak, should one refrain from illuminating the responsibility of the man who is indirectly responsible for a bloody attempted coup that left five dead? Just for the sake of completeness: on January 6, 2021, Trump deputy Pence, who is now defending him, narrowly escaped the mob of militant right-wing extremists and dangerous "QAnon" weirdos who roared "Hang Mike Pence".
"Rhein-Zeitung": The congress has done good preparatory work that the federal prosecutors can access. Chances are that Trump won't get away this time. He is likely to miscalculate evading the judiciary by politicizing him. That didn't work in New York, where a court convicted his company of tax crimes. That didn't work in the Supreme Court, which didn't want to protect his tax returns. And it will not succeed with the incorruptible special investigator either. If US democracy really wants to repel the January 6 attack, the rule of law must make one thing clear: no one is above the law.
