Following recent developments, former Rep. Liz Cheney faces substantial legal and ethical questions regarding her involvement in the January 6 investigation when Trump supporters protested at the Capitol in early 2021. Cheney was the vice chairwoman of the January 6 committee which investigated the protests, where conservatives railed against her involvement in the committee.
Evidence was recently discovered suggesting that Cheney had engaged in conversations with witness Cassidy Hutchinson through an encrypted messaging app in 2022. These messages were uncovered by chairman of the House Administration oversight subcommittee Rep. Barry Loudermilk. Subsequently, there has been increased scrutiny of the integrity of the investigation.
Reportedly, Cheney interacted with Hutchinson behind the back of the witness’s attorney at the time, Stefan Passantino, who was unaware of the contact between the two parties. The lawyer explained that he did not authorize the communication between his client and Cheney. Hutchinson and her lawyer eventually parted ways as a result of the communications.
According to reports, Cheney had initial reservations on communicating directly with Hutchinson because of legal and ethical concerns. However, Hutchinson reached out to Cheney while preparing for a deposition in front of the January 6 committee. The two spoke on the phone and shared details about the case without Hutchinson consulting her attorney.
After Hutchinson lost her legal representation following the communication with Cheney, the congresswoman reportedly helped her find new legal assistance. According to a memoir from Hutchinson, this allowed her to fully cooperate with the committee. Reportedly, this allowed Hutchinson to alter her statements to the committee, where she made serious accusations against former President Donald Trump.
As a result, some have questioned whether Cheney violated her duties as an attorney when directly interacting with a witness directly. Taking to X, former U.S. Department of Justice official Jeff Clark opined on the matter, claiming that Cheney may have violated rules set by the bar and could have her legal license suspended as a result.
“What do we have here? This appears to be a straight-up DC Bar Rules violation by Liz Cheney,” Clark wrote. Rep. Loudermilk also weighed in on the issue, pointing out the troubling nature of the communications between Hutchinson and Cheney.
Loudermilk recently said, “Our investigation has uncovered unethical back-channel communications between former Rep. Liz Cheney and Cassidy Hutchinson just before Hutchinson changed her sworn testimony. Not only is communicating with a witness without their attorney present unethical, but it also undermines the integrity of an investigation.”
“As a licensed attorney, Liz Cheney would have known the ethical and legal issues with this communication,” Loudermilk said, stating that Cheney should be hled accountable. “Clearly, Cheney did not want Stefan Passantino representing Hutchinson. Shortly after Cheney and Hutchinson began communicating, Cheney convinced Hutchinson to fire Passantino and arranged for a new attorney to represent Hutchinson pro bono,” he added.
The popular conservative X account Amuse said, “The DC Bar (her ally) claims it was permissible in her role on the committee. The witness messaged her and asked for help finding a new lawyer. Feel like this is a moral victory – ie she’s corrupt – but a hollow victory because they won’t disbar her.”
Watch Rep. Byron Donalds sound off on Dick Cheney below:
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