Public opinion polls or credible news analyses

House GOP Urges FBI to Probe Liz Cheney for Alleged Witness Tampering with Cassidy Hutchinson

Dec 17, 2024, 06:48 PM

House Republicans have accused former Representative Liz Cheney of tampering with a witness during the congressional inquiry into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The House Administration Oversight Subcommittee, led by Chairman Barry Loudermilk, released a report recommending that the FBI investigate Cheney for potential criminal witness tampering. The report specifically alleges that Cheney secretly communicated with Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness, without Hutchinson's attorney's knowledge, and influenced her testimony. The subcommittee's findings suggest that these actions may have violated federal laws, including 18 U.S.C. § 1512 against witness tampering and 18 U.S.C. § 1622 against procuring false testimony, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison. The report also casts doubt on Hutchinson's credibility, noting that her testimony about former President Donald Trump's alleged attempt to seize control of his presidential limousine was refuted by Secret Service officials. Furthermore, it claims Cheney encouraged Hutchinson to revise her testimony using an errata sheet. The report also criticizes the Jan. 6 committee for failing to preserve over a terabyte of investigative data and accuses it of colluding with Special Counsel Jack Smith. Cheney has responded to these accusations, defending the Jan. 6 committee's work and dismissing the report as an attempt to cover up Trump's actions.