Cheney and Thompson - Dems Past and Future
Segment # 319
This is not over by a long shot. You have the president of the United States awarding the nation’s second highest medal to Cheney and Thompson for having “performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens" by going after Biden’s main political rival. And if that’s not crazy enough there is a plan being considered to give both recipients (Cheney and Thompson) a blanket pardon for having done precisely what they were being praised for. And Bennie Thompson has already said he would accept a pardon. Think we might see a little corruption from a committee that had no real Republican representation after Pelosi refused to let anyone on the committee that was not acceptable to her. So the Dems have poked the bear again and created a potential problem in a Republican controlled Congress where under the protection of a pardon both Cheney and Thompson could be subpoenaed and required to testify honestly about what they did or face perjury charges which could result in jail time.
President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor in the United States, to former Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Bennie Thompson on January 2, 2025
The ceremony took place at the White House, where Biden presented the medals to Cheney, Thompson, and 18 other recipient. Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming, and Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, were recognized for their leadership roles in the House select committee that investigated the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. . They served as vice chair and chair of the committee, respectively. The Presidential Citizens Medal is awarded to Americans who have "performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens". Biden praised the recipients for their common decency and commitment to serving others, stating that "the country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice". .This recognition comes amid criticism from President-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened repercussions against members of the January 6 committee and suggested they "should go to jail". The award ceremony marked Cheney's first public appearance since campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris's unsuccessful Democratic presidential bid.
President Biden is considering offering preemptive pardons to Liz Cheney, Bennie Thompson, and other critics of Donald Trump. This consideration comes as Trump, who won the 2024 election and will take office on January 20, 2025, has suggested that Cheney and Thompson should face jail time for their roles in the January 6 committee investigation. Thompson has indicated that he would accept a preemptive pardon if offered by Biden. He stated, "If he extends it to me or other committee members... I would accept it, but it's ultimately his decision". While no final decision has been made public, sources familiar with the discussions have informed news outlets that Biden and his top aides have contemplated granting pre-emptive pardons to those who might become targets under Trump's potential administration. The consideration for pardons extends beyond Cheney and Thompson to include other prominent Trump critics from both parties. It's important to note that as of now, no pardons have been officially announced or granted to Cheney or Thompson. The situation remains fluid as Biden's term nears its end and Trump prepares to take office.
Republicans say the Jan. 6 congressional committee withheld evidence. Whether it did is complicated
Members of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol meet on Capitol Hill on July 27, 2021.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Aug. 14, 2023 9:49 AM PT
WASHINGTON — The Republican chairman of the House subcommittee examining last year’s Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection hearings said last week that some of the evidence gathered for the inquiry wasn’t preserved.
Though some Republicans and former President Trump have jumped on the statement as a sign the House Jan. 6 select committee did something wrong, the rules and standards of what is preserved following a congressional investigation are loose and subject to the interpretation of each new Congress.
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) chairman of the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight told Fox News on Tuesday that the House Jan. 6 select committee did not adequately preserve documents, data and video depositions — including communications it had with President Biden‘s administration — and failed to provide any evidence that it looked into Capitol Hill security failures on the day of the insurrection. Loudermilk’s spokesman did not respond to a request for comment from The Times.
Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University, has expressed several critical views regarding the January 6 investigation and its conduct:
Characterization of the Event
Turley argues that January 6 should not be classified as an insurrection, but rather as a riot. He contends that the majority of Americans view it as "a protest that went too far," citing a CBS survey indicating 76% of respondents held this view
Concerns About the Investigation
Turley has raised several issues with the House January 6 Committee's investigation:
Credibility: He suggests that recent reports have raised questions about the accuracy of the committee's investigation
Partisan composition: Turley criticizes the committee for consisting entirely of Democrat-appointed members, presenting a singular perspective
Selective presentation: He argues that the committee engaged a former ABC News producer to craft a polished, television-friendly presentation that excluded opposing viewpoints and contrary evidence
Misleading narratives: Turley claims the committee propagated misleading narratives, including an alleged violent incident involving Trump attempting to seize control of the presidential vehicle