Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) speaks during a House January 6 committee hearing on July 12, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Jul 12, 2022
Rep. Liz Cheney made a stunning revelation at the conclusion of Tuesday's House January 6 committee hearing, informing the public that former President Donald Trump called an unnamed witness in the panel's investigation following the June 28 hearing and that the U.S. Department of Justice has been made aware of Trump's apparent intimidation tactic.
The yet-to-be-seen witness "declined to answer or respond to President Trump's call, and instead alerted their lawyer," said Cheney (R-Wyo.), vice-chair of the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
"Their lawyer alerted us, and this committee has supplied that information to the Department of Justice," said Cheney. "We will take any effort to influence witness testimony very seriously."
\u201cBREAKING: Former Pres. Trump tried to call a witness in Jan. 6 committee investigation, Liz Cheney says.\n\n"That person declined to answer or respond to Pres. Trump's call, and instead alerted their lawyer...This committee has supplied that information to the Dept. of Justice."\u201d— ABC News (@ABC News) 1657656111
As NBC Newsreported: "Cheney had previously said that the committee had received evidence of witness tampering in its investigation. During the sixth hearing on June 28 when former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson testified, the committee showed excerpts of statements from witnesses alleging that they had been contacted by someone who tried to influence their testimony."
Chris Winters, senior editor of YES! Magazine, responded to the panel's referral of Trump to the DOJ for witness tampering by tweeting: "Everyone knew. But the difference is, with these hearings, people are now talking. The code of silence is broken."
Journalist Molly Jong-Fast tweeted, "Okay DOJ, it's your turn now."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Kenny Stancil
Kenny Stancil is senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project and a former staff writer for Common Dreams.
Rep. Liz Cheney made a stunning revelation at the conclusion of Tuesday's House January 6 committee hearing, informing the public that former President Donald Trump called an unnamed witness in the panel's investigation following the June 28 hearing and that the U.S. Department of Justice has been made aware of Trump's apparent intimidation tactic.
The yet-to-be-seen witness "declined to answer or respond to President Trump's call, and instead alerted their lawyer," said Cheney (R-Wyo.), vice-chair of the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
"Their lawyer alerted us, and this committee has supplied that information to the Department of Justice," said Cheney. "We will take any effort to influence witness testimony very seriously."
\u201cBREAKING: Former Pres. Trump tried to call a witness in Jan. 6 committee investigation, Liz Cheney says.\n\n"That person declined to answer or respond to Pres. Trump's call, and instead alerted their lawyer...This committee has supplied that information to the Dept. of Justice."\u201d— ABC News (@ABC News) 1657656111
As NBC Newsreported: "Cheney had previously said that the committee had received evidence of witness tampering in its investigation. During the sixth hearing on June 28 when former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson testified, the committee showed excerpts of statements from witnesses alleging that they had been contacted by someone who tried to influence their testimony."
Chris Winters, senior editor of YES! Magazine, responded to the panel's referral of Trump to the DOJ for witness tampering by tweeting: "Everyone knew. But the difference is, with these hearings, people are now talking. The code of silence is broken."
Journalist Molly Jong-Fast tweeted, "Okay DOJ, it's your turn now."
Kenny Stancil
Kenny Stancil is senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project and a former staff writer for Common Dreams.
Rep. Liz Cheney made a stunning revelation at the conclusion of Tuesday's House January 6 committee hearing, informing the public that former President Donald Trump called an unnamed witness in the panel's investigation following the June 28 hearing and that the U.S. Department of Justice has been made aware of Trump's apparent intimidation tactic.
The yet-to-be-seen witness "declined to answer or respond to President Trump's call, and instead alerted their lawyer," said Cheney (R-Wyo.), vice-chair of the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
"Their lawyer alerted us, and this committee has supplied that information to the Department of Justice," said Cheney. "We will take any effort to influence witness testimony very seriously."
\u201cBREAKING: Former Pres. Trump tried to call a witness in Jan. 6 committee investigation, Liz Cheney says.\n\n"That person declined to answer or respond to Pres. Trump's call, and instead alerted their lawyer...This committee has supplied that information to the Dept. of Justice."\u201d— ABC News (@ABC News) 1657656111
As NBC Newsreported: "Cheney had previously said that the committee had received evidence of witness tampering in its investigation. During the sixth hearing on June 28 when former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson testified, the committee showed excerpts of statements from witnesses alleging that they had been contacted by someone who tried to influence their testimony."
Chris Winters, senior editor of YES! Magazine, responded to the panel's referral of Trump to the DOJ for witness tampering by tweeting: "Everyone knew. But the difference is, with these hearings, people are now talking. The code of silence is broken."
Journalist Molly Jong-Fast tweeted, "Okay DOJ, it's your turn now."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.