Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement after the release of a recording of a January 2nd call between President Donald Trump, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and their attorneys and staff:
“The recording released yesterday establishes beyond a doubt that Donald Trump used the power of his office to threaten election officials, and to coerce them into committing criminal acts to overturn the election results. This clearly warrants a criminal investigation.
“The President previously held numerous meetings and calls with election officials and lawmakers in other states where he attempted to negate election results. Those conversations should be examined by investigators to determine whether Trump engaged in additional criminal acts.
“President Trump also has not acted alone in his attempts to overturn the election. Investigators should scrutinize the actions of White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Senator Lindsey Graham, and any others who there is reason to believe may have been party to criminal acts intended to change election results.
“This recording makes Nixon’s ‘smoking gun’ tape sound tame, but that tape captured only one part of a larger criminal conspiracy. Donald Trump must be held accountable for his illegal acts and his attacks on the Constitution. Nothing less than a criminal investigation will serve.”