Trump warns top Republican critic could be 'in a lot of trouble'

Former President Donald Trump issued a warning Wednesday to ex-congresswoman Liz Cheney after a Republican-led panel accused her of witness tampering during the investigation into the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

Trump, set to return to the White House in January, posted on his Truth Social platform, "Liz Cheney could be in a lot of trouble based on the evidence obtained by the subcommittee," citing allegations of federal law violations.

The accusations stem from a 128-page GOP report released Tuesday, which claims Cheney colluded with Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness in the 2021 select committee hearings. Cheney served as vice-chair of the committee, which concluded Trump had orchestrated a "sophisticated seven-part plan" to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Cheney dismissed the claims as a "malicious and cowardly assault on the truth," noting the bipartisan nature of her investigation and the inclusion of testimony from senior Republican officials. She also pointed to the credibility of the committee's 800-page report.

The renewed feud highlights Trump’s ongoing efforts to target political opponents. The president-elect has vowed to retaliate against figures he accuses of weaponizing the justice system, following a year of legal challenges stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Cheney, once a rising Republican star and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, faced political fallout over her criticism of Trump. She was ousted from GOP leadership and lost her Wyoming seat in 2022. In a bold move ahead of November’s election, Cheney announced she would vote for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump.

While Trump faces indictments over his alleged role in a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, his return to the presidency has stalled federal proceedings. State-level cases remain unresolved, with ongoing motions to dismiss charges.

Cheney continues to defend her role in the Capitol riot investigation, standing firm against what she describes as attempts to undermine accountability for the events of January 6.