Liz Cheney is under scrutiny for possible witness tampering during the January 6 Committee, leading to calls for a DOJ investigation as new allegations emerge.
Cheney Faces Witness Tampering Allegations Amid January 6 Probe Fallout
Cheney Faces Witness Tampering Allegations Amid January 6 Probe Fallout
The former Congresswoman is accused of interfering with testimony during her time on the January 6 Committee, raising concerns of potential legal ramifications.
Years after her defeat in the House, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney is now at the center of serious accusations from the Administration Oversight Subcommittee that allege her involvement in witness tampering during her tenure with the January 6 Committee. These allegations were brought to light during a recent appearance by Representative Barry Loudermilk on the Fox News show, Life, Liberty, and Levin. Loudermilk's critique posits a glaring hypocrisy in Cheney’s past actions regarding similar accusations levied against Donald Trump.
Loudermilk referenced a televised hearing from 2022 in which Cheney expressed concerns about Trump allegedly attempting to contact a witness being interviewed by the January 6 Committee. Although Trump's call was not successful, Cheney took the matter seriously enough to refer it to the Department of Justice, signaling potential witness tampering. “I am only using Liz’s own standards that she used,” Loudermilk asserted, before contrasting it with evidence he claims shows that Cheney indeed reached out to Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness.
Hutchinson, a former aide to then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, provided vital testimony to the Committee over the course of 24 hours. Loudermilk alleged that Cheney's communications with Hutchinson influenced her testimony significantly. Under Cheney's guidance, Hutchinson reportedly terminated her previous lawyer, Stefan Passantino, and sought new legal representation. Passantino, by all accounts, was unaware of Chenney's direct connections with his client while Cheney purportedly swayed Hutchinson's legal decisions.
The subcommittee's report references 18 U.S.C. § 1512, which outlines penalties for witness tampering, potentially exposing Cheney to severe consequences, including up to 20 years in prison. The report adds that Cheney may not be protected by the Constitution's speech and debate clause, as her actions fell outside the parameters of legislative duties.
“This is why we’re saying, ‘Look, I cannot make that determination, but the Department of Justice can,’” Loudermilk explained, indicating heightened pressure for the DOJ to investigate Cheney’s actions thoroughly.
These new allegations against Cheney are sparking intense discussions within the political landscape concerning accountability and ethical standards. As investigations progress, the outcomes may significantly impact public perceptions regarding Cheney's role in the January 6 events and highlight the broader implications of her alleged misconduct.
Loudermilk referenced a televised hearing from 2022 in which Cheney expressed concerns about Trump allegedly attempting to contact a witness being interviewed by the January 6 Committee. Although Trump's call was not successful, Cheney took the matter seriously enough to refer it to the Department of Justice, signaling potential witness tampering. “I am only using Liz’s own standards that she used,” Loudermilk asserted, before contrasting it with evidence he claims shows that Cheney indeed reached out to Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness.
Hutchinson, a former aide to then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, provided vital testimony to the Committee over the course of 24 hours. Loudermilk alleged that Cheney's communications with Hutchinson influenced her testimony significantly. Under Cheney's guidance, Hutchinson reportedly terminated her previous lawyer, Stefan Passantino, and sought new legal representation. Passantino, by all accounts, was unaware of Chenney's direct connections with his client while Cheney purportedly swayed Hutchinson's legal decisions.
The subcommittee's report references 18 U.S.C. § 1512, which outlines penalties for witness tampering, potentially exposing Cheney to severe consequences, including up to 20 years in prison. The report adds that Cheney may not be protected by the Constitution's speech and debate clause, as her actions fell outside the parameters of legislative duties.
“This is why we’re saying, ‘Look, I cannot make that determination, but the Department of Justice can,’” Loudermilk explained, indicating heightened pressure for the DOJ to investigate Cheney’s actions thoroughly.
These new allegations against Cheney are sparking intense discussions within the political landscape concerning accountability and ethical standards. As investigations progress, the outcomes may significantly impact public perceptions regarding Cheney's role in the January 6 events and highlight the broader implications of her alleged misconduct.
