Former U.S. Representatives Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) have responded strongly to former President Donald Trump’s recent threat to jail the lawmakers who investigated the January 6 Capitol riot. They called Trump’s comments an attack on the rule of law.
During an interview on Meet the Press, Trump suggested that members of the committee who looked into the Capitol attack should be sent to jail. He specifically called Cheney’s actions “inexcusable” and said, “Honestly, they should go to jail.”
Cheney quickly responded, saying Trump’s suggestion was an attack on democracy. She reminded everyone of Trump’s role in the January 6 events, accusing him of trying to overturn the 2020 election and encouraging a violent mob to storm the Capitol. Cheney also criticized Trump for watching the violence on TV and not acting to stop it.
“Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power,” Cheney said, according to The New York Times.
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“He mobilized an angry mob and sent them to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers, invaded the building and halted the official counting of electoral votes. Trump watched on television as police officers were brutally beaten and the Capitol was assaulted, refusing for hours to tell the mob to leave,” she continued.
“This was the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nation’s history. Donald 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 rule of law and the foundations of our republic,” Cheney said.
Kinzinger, who also served on the committee, said he has “absolutely no worries” about being jailed by the president-elect. He said Trump was just upset because he was embarrassed by the investigation. “So, look, he’s all butt hurt right now because he was embarrassed. He’s not going to come after us, and I’m not worried about it at all.”
Kinzinger also pointed out that the president cannot legally target lawmakers just because they investigated him. “The president can’t go after the legislative branch because we embarrassed him. That’s not a crime,” he said.
Trump’s threat has raised concerns about whether he might try to use the Justice Department to punish his political opponents if he returns to the White House. He is also filling his Cabinet with loyal supporters, which some fear could make it easier for him to do so.
Meanwhile, reports say President Joe Biden is considering pardoning some of Trump’s critics, including members of the January 6 committee like Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
Both Cheney and Kinzinger, however, remain defiant in the face of Trump’s rhetoric, maintaining that their efforts to investigate the Capitol riot were crucial to preserving American democracy.
