Jan. 6 committee won’t let Trump turn testimony into ‘circus,’ says Liz Cheney: Outgoing GOP rep says ex-president will NOT be grilled on live TV
- Rep. Liz Cheney appeared on NBC News’ show “Meet The Press” on Sunday morning
- The Jan. 6 Committee sent Donald Trump a subpoena Friday
- Trump is called on to appear before the committee at 10 a.m. on November 14
- He reportedly told allies he would testify if it was televised live
- When asked about the framework for his testimony, Cheney said, “It will be done with the rigor, discipline and seriousness it deserves.”
Outgoing Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney vowed Sunday not to let Donald Trump turn his planned Jan. 6 testimony before the committee into a “circus” — and strongly indicated they would not let him testify live on television.
The committee she chairs as vice chair formally subpoenaed the former president on Friday with a 10-page letter detailing her “overwhelming evidence” that he is “personally orchestrating and overseeing a multi-pronged effort to overthrow the 2020 presidential election.” Has”.
Trump is called on to appear before the committee at 10 a.m. on November 14.
Speaking to NBC News’ Meet The Press, Cheney suggested it was possible Trump committed “multiple crimes” that the panel is currently investigating.
“We trust that the former President understands his legal obligation and will comply with the subpoena,” Cheney said.
“We clarified a number of things in the subpoena, including that he should notify us in advance if he intends to take the Fifth.”
During a testimony earlier this year, Trump reportedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 400 times because New York State Attorney General Letitia James failed to conduct a related investigation into his business practices.
But contrary to previous court orders, Trump is reportedly inclined not to delay investigators’ appointments on Jan. 6.
Rep. Liz Cheney spoke to NBC News’ Meet The Press two days after the Jan. 6 committee, of which she is vice chair, sent Donald Trump a subpoena
WATCH: Jan 6th committee will not allow fmr. President Trump should turn his testimony into a “circus,” he says @RepLizCheney (R-Wyo.)
“This won’t be his first debate against Joe Biden… and the food fight that has ensued. This is far too serious a set of issues.” pic.twitter.com/3bUyUFVf9m
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 23, 2022
Instead, he tells aides he will testify — if it’s televised live, like the series of eight hearings the committee held over the summer, according to the New York Times.
Host Chuck Todd asked Cheney, “Is the committee open to his alleged offer, or at least behind the scenes, to go live on television?”
“So the committee is treating this matter with great seriousness. And we will continue questioning the former President under oath,” the Conservative replied.
She added that Trump’s sit-down could last “several days.”
“And it will be done with the rigor, discipline and seriousness it deserves. We’re not going to let it … he’s not going to turn this into a circus,” Cheney said.
“This isn’t going to be, you know, his first debate against Joe Biden and the circus and the food fight that became it. This is far too serious a set of problems.
“And we have made it clear exactly what his obligations are. And we continue with this plan.’
Trump reportedly said he would testify if it could take place in one of the committee’s public hearing settings, which would be televised live
Cheney declined to say what crimes she thinks Trump has committed, saying only the panel believes he committed “multiple” crimes
But Cheney was reluctant to elaborate as she pressed what she thinks the Justice Department could accuse Trump of.
“Look, I think there are multiple offenses. I don’t want to go before the committee, but we’re looking at that,” she said.
In addition to his sitting testimony, the committee is also looking for key records and communications from Trump dated between November 3, 2020 and the day of the Capitol attack.
The committee’s letter suggests that Trump used the encrypted messaging app Signal to discuss ways to address his voter fraud allegations and contesting ballot counting in key states.
Trump must hand over all relevant documents by November 4th.
In her own interview with the Sunday News, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi taunted Trump over his imminent impeachment.
“I don’t think he’s man enough to show up,” the California Democrat told MSNBC’s Sunday Show.