On Thursday, the Democrat-controlled House Committee on the Jan. 6 riot is set to televise its findings — and “Never Trump” Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and her allies have plans for Ivanka Trump.
The committee has been making headlines this week after more than a year of anticipation. One planner has promised “bombshell” video interviews with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, according to a Saturday statement to The Washington Post. The committee has even reportedly hired former ABC News President James Goldston to direct the would-be gripping television special.
Yet, some committee members have also been planning big changes behind the scenes… and others aren’t happy about it.
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The committee — which boasts seven Democrats and two Republicans, including Cheney — finds itself torn by arguments over its mission. Some members want only to pursue former President Donald Trump, and others want to both pursue Trump and institute big changes to election administration.
From his perch on the committee, Maryland Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin has even called for abolishing the Electoral College, according to a scoop by Axios.
Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., has argued for other legislative changes. She has floated legislation to improve coordination among intelligence and security agencies, like the legislation passed after the Sep. 11 attacks, according to one source’s statement to Axios.
Murphy also reportedly wants to explore strengthening sentencing and punishment for seditious conspiracy and insurrection. Presumably, she wants to reform the Insurrection Act.
Cheney said she remains skeptical of this new proposals. She worries about the committee losing the public’s respect by making unreasonable demands, one source told Axios.
“Liz is much more conservative, as far as what kinds of changes she wants to see done,” one source added, referring to Cheney’s conversations with Raskin.
Cheney also reportedly joked that the Electoral College benefits her, a resident of Wyoming.
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However, she appears open to some legislative shakeups. Cheney has also reportedly talked to Florida Democrat Zoe Lofgren about reforming the Electoral Count Act.
Some Republicans, like Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, want to amend the Electoral Count Act to clarify the vice president’s role in certifying elections. Collins claimed a power-hungry vice president could exploit the original law’s strange choice of words.
Cheney described herself as still “a conservative Republican” earlier this year, but she has found herself at odds with party leadership for her role on the Jan. 6 panel. The committee will televise its hearing on Thursday at 8 p.m.
The Horn editorial team