Former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney said President-elect Trump's suspension of prison sentences for himself and other members of the Jan. 6 commission is “a continuation of the attack on the rule of law.”
“Here's the truth: Donald Trump tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power,” Cheney said in a statement responding to Trump provided to Fox Digital. “He mobilized an angry mob and sent it to the U.S. Capitol, where they assaulted police officers, breached the building, and halted the official counting of electoral votes. Trump was brutally beaten by police officers. “I watched on TV as the Capitol was stormed, but I refused,” he continued for hours telling the rioters to leave. ”
Cheney's response came as President Trump participated in a pre-recorded interview on NBC's “Meet the Press” on Sunday, during which Cheney, committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson and others spoke about the Jan. 6 This comes in response to the president-elect's harsh criticism that evidence related to the case had been “deleted and destroyed.” He should be investigated and “go to jail.”
“Mr. Cheney, along with Mr. Thompson and the rest of the Unelected Committee of Political Thugs, did something that is unforgivable. You know, it's creepy,” he said in an interview. “They removed and destroyed all evidence.”
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Congresswoman Liz Cheney participates in the final public meeting of the special committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on December 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“And Cheney is behind it, and so is Bennie Thompson and everyone on that committee,” he continued. “Honestly, they should go to jail for what they did.”
Cheney said in a statement that January 6, 2021 was “the worst violation of the Constitution by a president in our nation's history. Donald Trump's suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his own illegal and unconstitutional conduct should be jailed. It's a continuation,” he argued. About his attack on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic. ”
House Republican report alleges “deletion of records and suppression of evidence” of Jan. 6 committee
The Jan. 6 commission was established in July 2021 to investigate the invasion of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters earlier that year, ahead of President Biden's formal inauguration on Jan. 20. . The Jan. 6 committee investigation was conducted when the Democratic Party was in power. of the house.
The committee concluded its 18-month investigation last year when Republicans regained the House majority and sent a referral to the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against Trump for his involvement in the breach of the Capitol by his supporters.
Rep. Bennie Thompson and Rep. Liz Cheney during a committee meeting to investigate the Capitol attack on Dec. 19, 2022. (Getty Images)
The committee was comprised of seven Democrats and two Republicans, Rep. Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, both of whom have since left office.
Earlier this year, House Republicans released a report alleging that the special committee “deleted” records and hired “Hollywood producers” to promote a political narrative while investigating the Jan. 6 incident. announced.
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“For nearly two years, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Jan. He has promoted hearsay and selective information in order to advance his political goals of The House Administration Oversight Subcommittee said in a statement about the report in March.
Former President Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on August 23, 2024. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Among its key findings, the report claims that the select committee was designed to “promote political discourse” and that it was designed to “promote political discourse” before Republicans gain a House majority during the 2022 election cycle. They also deleted records and suppressed evidence.”
“Concealing Records and Evidence Deleted by the Select Committee – The subcommittee was unable to turn over video recordings of witness interviews and depositions, even though Sens. Thompson and Cheney used those recordings in high-profile prime-time hearings. They recovered more than 100 files that had been deleted or password-protected, including files that had been deleted days before Republicans assumed the majority, and they also had written interviews with witnesses who had first-hand knowledge of the testimony. The multiple files that were caused were also hidden. President Trump’s actions on January 6,” the report revealed.
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President Trump has repeatedly claimed that Cheney and other committee members “deleted” evidence. Cheney accused Loudermilk's report at the time of being a “cover-up” of Trump's actions on January 6th.
“Your response to Trump's attack on our democracy was to lie and cover up what he did, to attack the brave men and women who came forward with the truth, to violently storm the Capitol, a crime. If it's about defending people, you need to reconsider whose side you're on.''Hint: It's not American,'' she posted on X at the time.
In a statement this week, Cheney added that Trump's claims that the committee destroyed evidence were “ridiculous and false.”
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Trump supporters occupy the west front and inauguration stands of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“As has been extensively detailed, including by Chairman Thompson, Donald Trump knows that his claims about the Select Board are absurd and false,” she continued. Cheney quoted: July 2023 Letter from Thompson Loudermilk, refuting claims that evidence was destroyed and advising the committee to “appropriately archive such sensitive materials to protect witness safety, national security, and law enforcement operations.” He detailed that he had made a request to the federal government.
“I see no good factual or constitutional basis for what Donald Trump is suggesting – a Justice Department investigation into the activities of a Congressional committee – and lawyers seeking to pursue such a course. will soon find themselves engaging in sanctionable conduct,” Cheney continued. .
Cheney added that Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigative materials on President Trump and the 2020 election should be preserved and made public.
“The Department of Justice must ensure that all of its materials are preserved and not destroyed. The Special Counsel's future report should disclose as much of that information as possible.”
Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns with former Congresswoman Liz Cheney in Brookfield, Wisconsin, on October 21, 2024. (Kamil Krzazinski/AFP via Getty Images)
As President Trump's popularity soars in the run-up to the 2024 election, Cheney has campaigned alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, rallying support for the Democratic Party.
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“I want you to stand for the truth. To reject the depravity and brutality of Donald Trump,” Cheney told Harris supporters in Wisconsin ahead of the election.
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As Biden's term comes to an end, the 46th president may grant “preemptive pardons” to Trump's political opponents, including Cheney and former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci. Speculation is increasing. , California State Senator Adam Schiff. Cheney did not say whether he would accept such a pardon if offered.
