Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has raised questions about whether former Rep. Liz Cheney had prior awareness of the presence of FBI sources in Washington, D.C., during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol unrest.

Lee’s comments followed a report from Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, which revealed that 26 FBI sources were present in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, with the senator expressing concern over Cheney’s dismissal of inquiries into FBI involvement, given her access to related information as a member of the Jan. 6 investigative committee, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Interview Highlights Concerns

In a recent interview, Lee questioned Cheney’s decision to call those asking about the FBI’s role “nut jobs” or “nut cases.” He argued that her reaction was “very strange,” especially considering her position on the committee. Lee pointed out that Cheney, with her insider access to key information, should have known more about the FBI's activities on the day of the riot.

The report released by Horowitz confirmed that 26 FBI sources were in Washington, D.C., on January 6, a revelation that Lee said validated concerns about potential government involvement. Lee contended that this new information gave him legitimate reasons to question the FBI's presence during the riot. The senator suggested that Cheney's dismissal of these concerns seemed odd in light of the inspector general’s findings.

Lee further questioned whether Cheney had already known about the FBI sources when she dismissed concerns from those questioning the government’s role on January 6. He also raised the issue of whether her actions might have been influenced by her role on the committee.

Cheney Claps Back

Cheney, in response, called Lee’s comments “nutball conspiracy theorist” rhetoric on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Lee, however, was undeterred, stating that the inspector general’s report had confirmed his reasons for asking these questions and that he would be “ready to accept her apology” if she offered one.

The debate over Cheney's knowledge of FBI sources has been part of a broader discussion about the events of January 6. Lee, in his comments, pointed to what he described as a lack of transparency following the 2023 Republican takeover of the House.

He noted that numerous materials related to the January 6 committee had gone missing, prompting further speculation about Cheney's role in the investigation.

Pre-emptive Pardons on Horizon?

Amid the back-and-forth, the question of preemptive pardons for individuals involved in the events of January 6 has also been raised.

While Lee focused on Cheney’s possible involvement, he was also asked whether President Joe Biden might consider issuing a preemptive pardon for Cheney or other figures involved with the Jan. 6 committee. Lee, while unsure, remarked, “I don’t know” when asked about the possibility. His remarks reflect growing concern within certain political circles about the consequences of those involved in investigating the riot.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) weighed in on the broader issue of preemptive pardons. He warned that such a move could set a dangerous precedent, urging the Biden administration to avoid taking such action. Schiff stated that he had expressed these concerns both publicly and privately to the administration.

However, other lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have voiced support for the idea of preemptive pardons in light of threats from former President Donald Trump against members of the January 6 committee.

Sanders suggested that Biden should “consider these pardons very seriously,” citing Trump’s repeated threats to imprison committee members as an example of what he described as “authoritarianism.” The conversation over pardons has intensified as the nation grapples with the fallout from the events of January 6 and the investigation into the individuals involved.

Complex Scenario Persists

Lee’s questioning of Cheney, combined with the ongoing debate about government involvement on January 6 and the potential for pardons, has added another layer of complexity to the political landscape. The revelations in the inspector general’s report have only fueled these discussions, with key figures from both parties continuing to weigh in on the issue.

The divide between Lee and Cheney highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party over the events of Jan. 6 and how best to address the aftermath.

As the investigation into the Capitol unrest continues to unfold, both Lee and Cheney have emerged as prominent figures in the national conversation. While Cheney’s firm stance against questioning the FBI’s involvement remains unchanged, Lee’s growing concerns signal that the issue is far from resolved. The public debate is likely to intensify as more details continue to emerge.

In the midst of this political turmoil, the future of the Jan. 6 investigation and the question of potential pardons remain uncertain, with both sides of the aisle continuing to grapple with the legacy of the Capitol riot and its aftermath.

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this disagreement between Lee and Cheney will shape the narrative moving forward.