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House Panel Reveals Potentially Improper Communications Between Cheney, Key Jan. 6 Witness

 October 16, 2024

Former Rep. Liz Cheney is facing scrutiny over alleged communications with a key witness in the House investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol unrest.

The interactions at issue reportedly occurred without the presence of the witness's legal counsel, potentially influencing the testimony given against former President Donald Trump, who has long claimed that the process was fatally flawed, as Breitbart reports.

In April 2022, Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, connected with Alyssa Farah Griffin after her second interview with the Select Committee.

Hutchinson allegedly expressed to Griffin that she possessed further information pertinent to the investigation. A subsequent meeting, occurring at Griffin’s residence in Georgetown, led Hutchinson to ask Griffin to facilitate contact with Cheney, then heavily involved in the Jan. 6 probe, to set up another interview session.

Linking Up to Provide New Testimony

During their meeting on April 26, 2022, Griffin consented to reach out to Cheney, aiming to organize a third interview for Hutchinson.

This interview marked a pivotal moment, with Hutchinson's new testimony claiming that Trump was in agreement with rioters who chanted threats against then-Vice President Mike Pence.

Cheney, while communicating through Griffin, initially maintained that she could not converse with Hutchinson without legal counsel present. Despite this ethical stand, Griffin operated as a go-between, helping to coordinate Hutchinson’s subsequent interview with the awareness of her then-attorney, Stefan Passantino.

Third Interview Under False Pretenses

To proceed with the third interview, Hutchinson and Griffin reportedly devised a deceptive explanation for Hutchinson's engagement with the committee, which was intended for her attorney. The resultant interview, spearheaded by Cheney, unveiled new allegations involving Trump that had not surfaced in previous discussions.

Following this third session, Hutchinson reportedly approached Cheney directly. This interaction led Hutchinson to dismiss Passantino, subsequently accepting Cheney's advice to engage new lawyers provided free-of-charge by the firm Alston and Bird.

Significant Claims in Fourth Interview

Before severing ties with her original attorney, Cheney and Hutchinson were in direct communication. The aftermath led to a discreet fourth interview, exclusively attended by Cheney, a committee counsel, and Hutchinson’s fresh legal representatives. This interview resulted in Hutchinson presenting further substantial allegations against Trump.

In the wake of Hutchinson changing legal teams, the Select Committee positioned Passantino as responsible for providing inappropriate legal advice to Hutchinson. The narrative suggested that he urged her to conceal information and misstate her testimony, shaping Hutchinson’s reliability as a witness.

Disputed Claims from Vice President Pence

In related developments, Cheney's previous assertions about Ken Klukowski, a Breitbart News senior legal analyst, faced challenges.

Klukowski was alleged to have been transferred to the Department of Justice by John Eastman to collaborate under Jeff Clark.

Nevertheless, documentation traced by Margot Cleveland of The Federalist confirmed that Klukowski’s move was planned well in advance, starting in July 2020.

Summary and Conclusion of Investigation Details

The unfolding events emphasize the complicated dynamics and alleged ethical breaches involving key players in the Jan. 6 committee's probe.

The communications between former Rep. Liz Cheney and Cassidy Hutchinson, without Hutchinson’s original legal counsel, hold significance, as the testimony took on new dimensions against Trump.

Arrangements facilitated by Griffin and the subsequent change in Hutchinson's legal representation raise further questions about the legal procedures observed during the investigation.

Ultimately, the new assertions against Trump and the multiple legal team transitions highlight the tangled legal narratives associated with the committee's investigations, stirring lingering debates on ethics and procedure.