Committee Vice Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-WY) listens to testimony from Cassidy Hutchinson, who was an aide to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows during former US President Donald Trump’s administration, as she testifies during the public hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Special Committee to Investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., June 28, 2022.
Kevin Lamarck | Reuters
It is still possible that the Jan. 6 panel investigating the attack on the US Capitol will refer the Justice Department against former President Donald Trump, Congresswoman Liz Cheney said.
“It’s a decision we’re going to make together as a committee,” the Wyoming Republican said in an interview with ABC News’ “This Week” that aired Sunday.
Committee members appear to be split on whether to eventually file a case against Trump, who some believe is responsible for the 2021 attack. Rep. Benny Thompson, D-MS, who chairs the committee, said last month that if the Justice Department studied the hearings and decided to review them further, they would, but directing criminal cases “isn’t our job.”
Others on the panel, including Cheney, quickly shot back, saying the panel had not yet voted on whether to recommend a referral to the criminal division.
“There is no question that he was involved in serious crimes and misdemeanors,” Cheney told ABC News. “I think there is no doubt that this is the most serious betrayal of his oath of office by any president in the nation’s history.” This is the most dangerous behavior by any president in the nation’s history.”
Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Republicans are reportedly preparing for Trump to announce a 2024 re-election bid as early as this summer as damning revelations continue to emerge from the Jan. 6 hearings. But if that happens, the GOP likely won’t be able to continue operating as it has, Cheney said.
“I think he cannot be nominated by the party. And I don’t think the party would survive that,” Cheney told ABC News. “I believe in the party and I believe in what the party can be and what the party can stand for. And I’m not ready to give that up.”
“Those of us who believe in Republican principles and ideals have a responsibility to try to bring the party back to what it can be and reject and reject so much of the toxin and vitriol,” she added.
CNBC reported last week that support from some of the GOP’s biggest donors to Trump’s campaign is waning. Republican financiers and their advisers have been meeting privately since the committee began releasing the initial findings of its investigation, according to interviews with top fundraisers.
The lack of interest in supporting the former president could boost fundraising efforts for other Republican hopefuls.
Cheney has acknowledged the possibility of launching her own presidential bid, but told ABC News that she “hasn’t decided on that yet.” If he were to bid, Cheney would join a 2024 GOP field that appears to be taking shape.
Multiple Republicans may run in 2024, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Tom Cotton.
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