(ProsperNews.net) – Former Rep. Liz Cheney is facing scrutiny from GOP legislators over allegations of potential criminal witness tampering during her tenure as Vice Chair of the January 6 House Select Committee. A report released Tuesday by Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., chair of the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, calls for the FBI to investigate Cheney’s actions.
The report alleges that Cheney engaged in secret communications with Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness in the Jan. 6 investigation, without the knowledge of Hutchinson’s attorney. It further claims Cheney influenced Hutchinson to hire attorneys aligned with the Select Committee instead of retaining her original legal representation.
“Numerous federal laws were likely broken by Liz Cheney,” the report states. “These violations should be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
The Jan. 6 committee, established in July 2021 when Democrats controlled the House, investigated the events surrounding the Capitol breach by Trump supporters. Cheney, along with Rep. Adam Kinzinger, was one of two Republicans on the nine-member panel, which concluded its 18-month inquiry last year. The committee’s work included a referral to the Justice Department recommending criminal charges against Trump for his role in the events of January 6.
Rep. Loudermilk’s subcommittee, formed in January 2023, has since been tasked with evaluating the findings and actions of the now-dissolved Jan. 6 committee. The allegations against Cheney are a key focus of the subcommittee’s review.
A central point of contention is Hutchinson’s testimony. The former aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows alleged that Trump became “irate” on Jan. 6, 2021, and attempted to physically steer his Secret Service vehicle toward the Capitol to join his supporters. Hutchinson’s account was later contradicted by Anthony Ornato, a former White House deputy chief of staff and veteran of the Secret Service, who denied the incident occurred as described.
The report also accuses Cheney of fostering an environment that prioritized the committee’s political objectives over impartial fact-finding. House Republicans argue her actions raise serious questions about the integrity of the investigation and demand further inquiry.
Cheney has dismissed the allegations as a political attack, saying in a statement that “the focus should remain on holding those responsible for the events of January 6 accountable.” Critics view the Republican-led push as an attempt to discredit the committee’s findings and protect Trump from accountability.
This development underscores ongoing partisan tensions over the Jan. 6 investigation, as Republicans aim to reassess the actions and conclusions of the previous Democratic-led committee.
Copyright 2024, ProsperNews.net
