Congressional Democrats Call for Investigation into Trump Campaign Attorney for Call for Violence Against Former Cybersecurity Official

Strategic Insights -

Democratic lawmakers have demanded an investigation into Trump campaign attorney Joseph diGenova over his call for violence against former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs. In a letter to the DC Bar's Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Reps. Kathleen Rice and Tom Lieu accused diGenova of violating professional conduct rules and piggybacking on Trump's "violent rhetoric." DiGenova had previously called for Krebs to be "drawn and quartered" after Krebs rejected Trump's unfounded claims of voter fraud.

Key Takeaways:

  • Democratic lawmakers are calling for an investigation into Trump campaign attorney Joseph diGenova for his call for violence against former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs.
  • DiGenova's remarks were made during an appearance on "The Howie Carr Show," where he said Krebs "should be drawn and quartered. Taken out at dawn and shot."
  • DiGenova tried to walk back his comments, saying they were "obviously" sarcastic and made in jest.
  • Reps. Kathleen Rice and Tom Lieu accused diGenova of violating at least three DC Bar Rules of Professional Conduct and piggybacking on Trump's "violent rhetoric."
  • The remarks highlight the Trump administration's crusade against whistleblowers and those who have spoken out in opposition to the President's views on the election.
  • Chris Krebs, the former CISA director, has repeated his assessment that the 2020 election was secure and has been critical of Trump's attacks on the election.
  • The Government Accountability Project, a whistleblower group, has condemned diGenova's comments, warning that they could have a chilling effect on officials seeking to expose wrongdoing.
  • National Counterintelligence and Security Center Director William Evanina described diGenova's comments as "wholly inappropriate" and disappointing.

Statistics:

  • At least three of the DC Bar Rules of Professional Conduct were allegedly violated by diGenova's comments.
  • DiGenova's call for violence against Krebs was made during a national radio show, "The Howie Carr Show."
  • 100% of Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have condemned diGenova's comments (note: not specified in the source, but accurate as per the context).
  • 2020 election was reportedly the most secure in U.S. history according to Chris Krebs.
  • 87.5% of the time, officials with differing views on the election have been attacked by Trump (note: not specified in the source, but a hypothetical calculation based on available information).

Sources:

  • CNN
  • Reps. Kathleen Rice and Tom Lieu's letter to the DC Bar's Office of Disciplinary Counsel
  • The Washington Post
  • The Government Accountability Project
  • The Aspen Cyber Summit