Today, the Republican National Committee (RNC) voted to censure Representatives Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) for serving on the House Select Committee investigating the attacks on the Capitol last year. According to the RNC Chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, this censure is unprecedented in RNC history.
By recasting the events of January 6, 2021, as legitimate political action and silencing the resultant investigation into the events leading up to the violence and insurrection experienced on that day, the RNC demonstrates an alarming indifference for the rule of law and the preservation of our democracy.
The investigation around the events of January 6 is a valid exercise of congressional oversight, not a political witch hunt. Storming the Capitol threatened to disrupt the smooth transition of power between administrations that is a cornerstone of U.S. democracy — a threat that continues today by prolonging debunked myths about the validity of the 2020 elections. Indeed, the events were inspired by Trump’s lies about the 2020 election results. Yet instead of charting a course away from these damaging events, the RNC appears to approve of them. This is a dangerous course for any political party.
The Niskanen Center stands firmly with Representatives Cheney and Kinzinger, and for the principles of democracy.
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