Cheney Responds to Trump: ‘Neither Lies Nor the Liar’ Age Well

Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) openly criticized President Donald Trump on Monday, condemning his false statements about the now-defunct House Jan. 6 Committee.

Cheney’s sharp remarks came after Trump delivered an unscripted speech at the Capitol Visitor Center, accusing the committee of destroying evidence and renewing attacks on its members, including Cheney.

In a statement posted to X, Cheney declared, “Trump’s remarks in the Capitol Visitor Center today were a reminder that neither lies nor the liar who tells them get better with age. The Select Committee’s evidence is available on multiple websites, and as a criminal defendant, Donald Trump has had access to all the transcripts for years.”

During his speech, Trump repeatedly accused the committee of deleting evidence, despite the fact that the committee’s final report, depositions, and related materials are publicly accessible.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who chaired the Jan. 6 Committee, has previously clarified that all legally required information, including witness testimony and depositions, was retained. However, video recordings that were not used during public hearings were not preserved.

Trump also used the platform to criticize former President Joe Biden’s recent decision to grant preemptive pardons to all nine members of the Jan. 6 Committee, as well as its staff and police officers who testified before the panel.

The pardons, announced in the final hours of Biden’s presidency, covered any offenses tied to the committee’s work.

Cheney, the committee’s vice chair, expressed gratitude for the pardon in a joint statement with Thompson, emphasizing that their actions were lawful and necessary.

“We express our gratitude to President Biden for recognizing that we and our families have been continuously targeted with harassment, lies, and threats of criminal violence. We have been pardoned today not for breaking the law but for upholding it,” they stated.

Trump, however, called the pardons unnecessary and targeted Cheney and other members of the committee during his speech. He referred to Cheney as a “lunatic” and described former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) as a “super cryer.”

He also criticized former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), blaming her for the events of Jan. 6 and claiming the committee’s findings were fabricated.

In her statement, Cheney also highlighted Trump’s inaction during the Capitol attack, stating, “Remember Trump’s character: He sat in his dining room watching on television as his supporters attacked our Capitol and brutally assaulted law enforcement. For hours, he refused to instruct the mob to leave. The truth will never change.”

Cheney and Trump’s longstanding rivalry dates back to her outspoken criticism of Trump following the Capitol attack.

The former president has frequently targeted Cheney for her role on the Jan. 6 Committee, which investigated Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and his role in the insurrection.

The clash between Trump and Cheney underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the events of Jan. 6 and the lingering divisions within the Republican Party. Trump’s continued attacks on the committee and its members highlight his efforts to discredit the investigation while reinforcing his position among his base.