After January 6 Investigation, House Republicans Side with Trump and Target Liz Cheney
By Jake Beardslee ·
December 19, 2024
House Republicans, concluding their inquiry into the January 6 Capitol attack, are directing blame at former GOP Representative Liz Cheney for her role in the official investigation. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
The report, published Tuesday, claims Cheney engaged in inappropriate communications with Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness in the hearings, without the knowledge of Hutchinson’s attorney. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
Chairman Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) authored the 128-page interim report, calling for accountability from those involved in investigating Trump. This aligns with Trump's pledge to pardon January 6 rioters and appoint officials like Kash Patel to key positions in his potential administration. U.S. House Office of Photography / Wikimedia
The GOP's report minimizes Trump’s responsibility for the attack, despite his indictment on four charges, including conspiracy to overturn the election. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Instead, it accuses Cheney of "witness tampering" in her dealings with Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness who delivered damning testimony about Trump’s actions during the riot. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
Hutchinson, a former aide in Donald Trump’s White House, became a central figure in the January 6 committee hearings. She provided vivid testimony, including allegations that Trump demanded to be taken to the Capitol during the insurrection and engaged in a physical altercation with a Secret Service agent. However, Republicans have since claimed to possess evidence disproving her account. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
The report states, “Based on the evidence obtained by this Subcommittee, numerous federal laws were likely broken by Liz Cheney, the former Vice Chair of the January 6 Select Committee, and these violations should be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” Additionally, it accuses Cheney and Hutchinson of perjury, suggesting that Hutchinson provided false testimony under oath at Cheney’s direction. The subcommittee has called for the FBI to investigate Cheney under 18 U.S.C. 1622, which prohibits procuring another person to commit perjury. Gary C. Klein-The Sheboygan Press/USA TODAY via Imagn Images
Loudermilk's report also claims that January 6 committee chairman Bennie Thompson violated House rules. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The allegations have sparked sharp reactions, with Donald Trump taking to social media in the early hours to claim that Cheney “could be in a lot of trouble.” The post comes as Trump’s political influence within the Republican Party remains strong. JASON BEAN/RGJ / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Notably, he has nominated Kash Patel, a loyalist, to lead the FBI—a move that could influence the trajectory of the investigation if Patel is confirmed by the Senate. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Cheney defended her work, stating, “January 6th showed Donald Trump for who he really is – a cruel and vindictive man.” Jasper Colt-USA TODAY
President Joe Biden is reportedly considering pardons to protect congressional members from Trump’s reprisals, according to Politico. However, several individuals involved have expressed reluctance to accept such pardons. Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The GOP report revisits the security failures of January 6 but deflects blame from Trump, emphasizing grievances against the investigative committee. As Trump prepares for a potential return to the White House, he has reiterated his calls to prosecute members of Congress who investigated him, saying, “Honestly, they should go to jail.” Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Capitol Hill remains embroiled in broader political debates. House Republicans are scrambling to finalize a short-term government funding bill to avoid a looming shutdown on Friday. Speaker Mike Johnson faces resistance from lawmakers dissatisfied with the compromises embedded in the draft legislation, adding to the tensions in Washington. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
