Former January 6 Committee member Liz Cheney pushed back Monday against President-elect Donald Trump’s call for her to be jailed over allegations of destroying 117 files from the committee’s investigation. The controversy stems from claims that these files, which Trump asserts exonerate him, were deleted or encrypted by members of the panel.
Trump’s accusation followed an earlier statement by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), who leads the House Administration Committee’s oversight investigation. Loudermilk said his forensic investigators discovered that 117 files went missing, suggesting they were intentionally erased to conceal information. “It’s obvious that [the January 6 committee] went to great lengths to prevent Americans from seeing certain documents produced in their investigation,” Loudermilk told Fox News. He accused Cheney and committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) of obstructing his investigation by not preserving evidence, violating House rules.
In an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump argued that those responsible for deleting the files should face legal consequences. “Cheney did something that’s inexcusable, along with Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs,” Trump said. “They deleted and destroyed all evidence… In a civil case, you go to jail.”
Cheney, who left Congress after a primary defeat, dismissed Trump’s remarks, calling them part of his ongoing “assault on the rule of law.” She told the New York Times, “Trump’s suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the foundations of our republic.” She maintained that the accusations against the committee are “ridiculous and false” and defended the integrity of the investigation.
Cheney further argued that there is no legal basis for a Department of Justice investigation into the committee’s work. “Any lawyer who attempts to pursue that course would quickly find themselves engaged in sanctionable conduct,” she said.
Trump suggested that President Joe Biden could consider pardoning Cheney and other committee members. “Biden can give them a pardon if he wants to,” Trump said. When asked by Welker if he would direct his FBI and Attorney General to prosecute Cheney, Trump replied, “Not at all. I think that they’ll have to look at that. … They can do whatever they want.”
The debate over the missing files continues to spark political tensions, with Republicans pushing for accountability and Democrats dismissing the accusations as baseless.
