Former-President Donald Trump ignored pleas from his family and staff to call off the violent mob which stormed the Capitol last year, in a bid to overturn the result of the US election, witnesses have told the committtee investigating the riot.
As discussion heats up about whether Trump will face criminal charges, USSC's Associate Professor David Smith tells ABC radio's PM it appears this scenario is very unlikely.
"(Attorney General) Merrick Garland hasn't given any indication that he (Trump) would be charged and in fact he's overseeing the implementation of rules that mean any charges against Trump would mean sign-off at the highest level," Smith said.
"When you have a very significant figure running for election, there are rules in place in order to prevent the political persecution of candidates that mean more hurdles need to be clear before charges can be brought."