‘Ridiculous’: Cheney responds to Trump floating jail time for J6 committee members
Former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney has spoken out against President-elect Trump’s recent comments suggesting that she and other members of the Jan. 6 Committee should be jailed, calling it a “continuation of his assault on the rule of law.”
Cheney issued a response statement to Trump, stating, “Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power. He mobilized an angry mob and sent them to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers, invaded the building, and halted the official counting of electoral votes. Trump watched on television as police officers were brutally beaten and the Capitol was assaulted, refusing for hours to tell the mob to leave.”
Trump made these comments during a pre-recorded interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he accused Cheney, committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, and others of deleting and destroying evidence related to the Jan. 6 investigation, stating that they “should go to jail.”
Cheney fired back, asserting that Jan. 6, 2021, was the “worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nation’s history.” She condemned Trump’s suggestion that members of Congress who investigated his actions should be jailed, calling it an attack on the rule of law and the foundations of the republic.
The Jan. 6 committee was established in July 2021 to investigate the Capitol breach by Trump supporters. The committee concluded its 18-month investigation last year and sent referrals to the Justice Department recommending criminal prosecution for Trump’s involvement in the events leading up to the breach.
House Republicans released a report earlier this year alleging that the select committee deleted records and hid evidence. The report claimed that the committee was designed to promote a political narrative and deleted files and hid transcripts of witness interviews.
Cheney slammed these allegations as a cover-up for Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, stating that Trump’s claims of evidence destruction are “ridiculous and false.” She called for the preservation and public disclosure of materials from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump and the 2020 election.
As Trump gains popularity ahead of the 2024 election, Cheney has joined forces with Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail to rally support for the Democratic ticket, urging supporters to stand in truth and reject Trump’s cruelty.
Speculation has arisen that President Biden could issue “preemptive pardons” to Trump’s political foes, including Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Sen.-elect Adam Schiff. Cheney did not comment on whether she would accept such a pardon if offered.
In conclusion, Cheney remains steadfast in her commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for the events of Jan. 6, while also advocating for transparency and the preservation of key investigative materials.
