Liz Cheney, a former Republican representative known for her opposition to Donald Trump, has been campaigning alongside Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in key swing states. Cheney has been warning voters that Trump does not respect the “rule of law” or the U.S. Constitution. However, new evidence suggests that Cheney may have unethically influenced crucial anti-Trump testimony while serving as vice chairman of the January 6 Committee that investigated the protest at the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
Cheney's Collaboration with Cassidy Hutchinson
The issue at hand is Cheney’s collaboration with Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to then-Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Hutchinson is considered the committee’s “star” witness for her account of Trump’s alleged conduct on January 6. During her televised appearance, Hutchinson explained her version of what happened before and after Trump’s speech at the Ellipse as the White House scrambled to respond to the escalating chaos at the Capitol.
In a notable moment during the hearing, Cheney presented a handwritten draft of a tweet for President Donald Trump to post instructing protestors to disperse from the area. Hutchinson confirmed that she had written the tweet, which was never posted. However, a certified handwriting analyst retained by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga), chairman of the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, determined that Hutchinson did not write the note. The handwriting, according to the expert, belongs to Eric Herschmann, a Trump White House lawyer.
Questions About Cheney's Involvement
This disclosure by Loudermilk, who is conducting separate inquiries into the events of Jan. 6 and the now-defunct J6 select committee, seems to represent another example of Cheney’s questionable involvement on the committee, particularly related to Hutchinson.
Loudermilk discovered text messages on an encrypted chat app between Cheney and Hutchinson prior to her public testimony. On June 6, 2022, Hutchinson texted Cheney using Signal, asking “to have a private conversation with you.” They were connected by Alyssa Farah Griffin, a one-time co-worker of Hutchinson and also a witness before the committee who now appears on “The View.” The texts appear to indicate Cheney and Hutchinson spoke on the phone shortly after that initial outreach.
Changes in Hutchinson's Testimony
Hutchinson did more than just change lawyers; in several instances, she changed her story from her previous testimony. During her televised testimony, Hutchinson re-enacted an alleged confrontation between Trump, his driver, and the head of his security detail in the presidential vehicle following his speech at the Ellipse. However, no one in the White House corroborated Hutchinson’s version of events.
Hutchinson went on to testify twice more behind closed doors in September 2022 as her stories continued to change. Her attorneys filed a 15-page errata sheet that same month to significantly revise her earlier testimony.
Impact on Hutchinson and Passantino
While Hutchinson's role as the committee’s star witness has been a lucrative endeavor for her, the same cannot be said for Stefan Passantino, her first lawyer. Last year, Passantino filed a $67 million lawsuit against the federal government, accusing the committee of violating his privacy and causing “significant economic, reputational, and emotional harm.”
Passantino also filed a defamation lawsuit against former DOJ prosecutor and MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissmann for posting a tweet that accused Passantino of “coach[ing] her to lie.” Earlier this month, a federal judge allowed the case to move forward.
Bar Complaint Against Cheney
Proof of the backchannel communications also prompted a bar complaint last week against Cheney, a licensed attorney in Washington. America First Legal, founded by longtime Trump advisor Stephen Miller, filed the complaint on behalf of Passantino. In the complaint, Cheney is accused of violating a D.C. bar rule that prohibits a lawyer from communicating with “a person known to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has the prior consent of the lawyer representing such other person or is authorized by law or a court order to do so.”
Bottom Line
This story offers a complex look at the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and ethical questions that can arise during high-profile political investigations. It raises questions about the integrity of key figures and the validity of their actions. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think the actions of Liz Cheney and Cassidy Hutchinson were justified? Share this article with your friends and discuss it. Sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
Liz Cheney, a former Republican representative known for her opposition to Donald Trump, has been campaigning alongside Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in key swing states. Cheney has been warning voters that Trump does not respect the “rule of law” or the U.S. Constitution. However, new evidence suggests that Cheney may have unethically influenced crucial anti-Trump testimony while serving as vice chairman of the January 6 Committee that investigated the protest at the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
