The walls are about to close in on Cheney.
The House Administration Oversight Subcommittee, led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), has issued a blistering report accusing former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) of potentially breaking federal laws by engaging in witness tampering during the Democrat-led investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot. The report, released on Tuesday, highlights allegations that Cheney improperly communicated with Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, without Hutchinson’s attorney being present or aware of the conversations.
The Subcommittee’s findings, first outlined in October, claim that Cheney’s actions could be in violation of multiple federal laws, including 18 U.S.C. § 1512, which criminalizes witness tampering, and 18 U.S.C. § 1622, which forbids procuring perjury. These statutes carry severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison. The report suggests that Cheney’s actions went beyond the boundaries of her official role in Congress and were not protected under the Constitution’s speech and debate clause. It further alleges that Cheney may have pushed Hutchinson to alter her testimony, pointing to changes made using an errata sheet that contradicted previous statements and other evidence.
Additionally, the report casts doubt on Hutchinson’s credibility, particularly regarding her testimony about an alleged incident involving former President Donald Trump and his limousine. Secret Service officials have since refuted Hutchinson’s account, further complicating the narrative.
The Subcommittee also raises concerns about broader misconduct within the investigation, alleging possible collusion between the January 6th Committee and Special Counsel Jack Smith. This includes the suspicious release of unredacted witness transcripts in connection with a case against Trump. Additionally, it criticizes the committee’s failure to preserve critical investigative data, including video interviews, and highlights serious security lapses leading up to the Capitol riot—issues that were downplayed or ignored during the initial investigation.
Rep. Loudermilk emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in restoring public trust. “We must ensure equal application of the law and full transparency to protect our nation and its democratic institutions,” he said in a statement accompanying the report.
As the GOP pushes for further investigations into the actions of the January 6th Committee, former President Donald Trump has called for accountability, suggesting that key members like Cheney and Benny Thompson should face legal consequences for their roles. Trump has even gone as far as to claim that Cheney “committed a major crime” and that she, along with other committee members, should be prosecuted.
Cheney, on the other hand, has denied these allegations, calling Trump’s claims part of his ongoing attack on the rule of law. Meanwhile, rumors persist about the possibility of President Joe Biden offering preemptive pardons to former committee members, though no official action has been taken.
As the investigation into the January 6th events continues, Rep. Loudermilk’s report signals a broader effort to ensure that those responsible for any legal violations are held accountable, while also scrutinizing the integrity of the committee’s actions and the treatment of key witnesses.