All involved in Jan. 6 attack 'must be held accountable' -Garland

The Justice Department, headed by Garland, has charged more than 725 people with crimes arising from the riot ranging from disorderly conduct to assaulting police to conspiracy. Of those people, about 165 have pleaded guilty and at least 70 have been sentenced.

"The Justice Department remains committed to holding all January 6th perpetrators, at any level, accountable under law - whether they were present that day or were otherwise criminally responsible for the assault on our democracy," Garland said.

"We will follow the facts wherever they lead," added Garland, the top U.S. law enforcement official.

A mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a failed bid to derail the formal congressional certification of his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.

Garland appeared to address criticism leveled against him by some Democrats who have said he has not been aggressive enough in the Justice Department investigation. Garland said his department's work is far from over.

"I understand that this may not be the answer some are looking for," Garland said. "But we will and we must speak through our work. Anything else jeopardizes the viability of our investigations and the civil liberties of our citizens."