WASHINGTON — Concluding their investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, House Republicans have recommended that former Representative Liz Cheney face prosecution for her inquiries surrounding the events that unfolded while Congress was certifying the 2020 presidential election.
The findings, released Tuesday, highlight the party’s efforts to support former President Donald Trump’s calls for retribution against those he views as adversaries, including Cheney and other members of the committee that he has criticized, claiming they deserve jail time.
Barry Loudermilk, the chairman of the House Administration Committee, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “Until we hold accountable those responsible, and reform our institutions, we will not fully regain trust.”
The Republican-led committee’s 128-page interim report emerges as Trump prepares for a potential return to the White House and seeks to recruit officials who align with his objectives of retribution, including contemplating Kash Patel as FBI Director. Trump has additionally expressed intentions to pardon individuals convicted in connection with the Capitol riot.
The report revisits the longstanding narrative among Republicans that Trump should not be held responsible for the Capitol incident. The Department of Justice has prosecuted around 1,500 individuals, including leaders from the extremist groups Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, and has indicted Trump on several charges, including conspiracy tactics aimed to overturn the election results. However, special counsel Jack Smith declared that he would cease the case against Trump in observance of guidelines preventing charges against sitting presidents before the inauguration.
Highlighting Cheney’s role, the report notes she is the daughter of the former vice president and was once a prominent conservative figure who faced backlash and was removed from her leadership position after voting to impeach Trump for his role in the insurrection. Following her tenure as vice chair of the January 6 committee, she lost her election bid to a Republican challenger backed by Trump. Subsequently, Cheney worked against Trump’s political revival, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
On Tuesday, Cheney defended the thoroughness of her committee’s work and criticized Loudermilk’s report for dismissing the substantial evidence presented. She stated, “January 6th showed Donald Trump for who he really is – a cruel and vindictive man who allowed violent attacks to continue against our Capitol and law enforcement officers while he watched television.”
Cheney continued by asserting that Loudermilk’s report is a deliberate misrepresentation of the facts and seeks to fabricate lies and slanderous claims to shield Trump from responsibility.
Meanwhile, President Biden is reportedly contemplating granting pardons to shield certain individuals from Trump’s potential backlash. However, several involved in the events have expressed a lack of interest in pursuing pardons from Biden.
Individuals targeted by Trump for prosecution include former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Cheney, fellow members of the January 6 committee, and special counsel Smith.
The timing of this report coincides with an upcoming session in Congress where lawmakers will confirm the results of the 2024 election. In contrast to four years ago when Republicans contested Biden’s victory and alleged electoral fraud, Democrats appear ready to accept and trust the forthcoming election outcomes.
The GOP’s report revisits the significant security breakdowns during the January 6 riots and reignites debate about the delays in deploying the National Guard, whose presence was crucial in restoring order at the Capitol that evening. Congress reconvened later that night to certify Biden’s win.
Loudermilk’s introduction notes, “This report reveals that there was not just one single cause for what happened at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.” He added, “The Capitol is no safer today.”
With a keen focus on the January 6 committee established under then-Speaker Pelosi, the findings criticize its leadership, including Chairman Bennie Thompson and Cheney.
Notably, the report suggests prosecution for Cheney due to her collaboration with Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness who provided critical insights into Trump’s behavior on the fateful day. Hutchinson had testified about initially withholding information and later sought to clarify her account, resulting in a pivotal public testimony detailing Trump’s actions as the riot unfolded.
Cheney documented her significant role in encouraging Hutchinson in her book “Oath and Honor,” expressing concern for her safety as she prepared to testify.
Loudermilk’s committee has concluded that Cheney’s actions, which they label as witness tampering, warrant legal scrutiny. They asserted, “Numerous federal laws were likely broken by Liz Cheney,” prompting a recommendation for an FBI investigation.
The report also accused Thompson of violating House rules concerning the management of documents and testimonies. In response, Thompson dismissed the claims as unfounded, emphasizing that the evidence clearly points to Trump being responsible for the January 6 attack, regardless of Loudermilk’s narrative.
Trump, in a recent interview, reiterated his commitment to retaliate against those who hold him accountable for the events of January 6, declaring that they should face imprisonment.