Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) hopes House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will choose members for the January 6 select committee that are “committed to upholding the rule of law.”
CNN interviewed Cheney for the first time since becoming the only Republican appointed to the committee by Democrats.
“It’s very important that we have members who are committed to upholding the rule of law and members who are committed to their oaths to the Constitution,” Cheney said.
She added, “And I would certainly hope that the minority leader will be guided by that as he makes his choices.”
CNN points out McCarthy is unlikely to listen to Cheney’s advice after pushing to have her removed from her leadership position.
“I will absolutely stand for the truth and I will reject partisanship – wherever it comes in,” Cheney said. “And I think that’s been very clear from the beginning of this: my obligation is to the Constitution.”
During a press conference earlier this month, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) named her appointments to the committee, including Cheney, as IJR reported.
“We’re very honored and proud that she has agreed to serve on the committee,” Pelosi said.
McCarthy criticized Cheney for accepting the position, as IJR reported.
“I was shocked that she would accept something from Speaker Pelosi,” McCarthy said.
He continued, “It would seem to me that, since I didn’t hear from her, maybe she’s closer to [Pelosi] than us, I don’t know.”
When discussing the political ramifications for her career when she agreed to serve on the committee, Cheney told CNN, “When you have a situation that’s as dangerous as this was, and a situation where President Trump continues to use the same language, continues to make the same claims, that he knows sparked violence. …. I think we just have a duty to not make a political calculation.”
Cheney said Democrats on the panel have been welcoming and professional, according to CNN.
CNN notes McCarthy has not made a decision on who or whether he will appoint anyone to the committee.
“I’m very dedicated to operating in a way that really does reflect the gravity of this attack,” Cheney said.