Threats made after Dems appoint a Republican to help lead Capitol riot investigation

Democrats appoint a Republican as vice chairman of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. U.S. Representative Liz Cheney will step into the position.

“We owe it to the American people to investigate everything that led up to, and transpired on, January 6th,” Cheney said in a statement after the announcement. “We will not be deterred by threats or attempted obstruction, and we will not rest until our task is complete.”

Cheney has been a critic of Former President Donald Trump saying he incited the rioters that led to the deadly insurrection. It led to her getting booted from her position as GOP conference chairwoman.

Cheney’s promotion on the committee comes amid an effort by some Republicans to oust her and U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger for being on the committee.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs is calling on the GOP conference to change its rules to state that any Republican who accepts a committee assignment or serves on a committee without a recommendation from GOP leadership “shall immediately cease to be a Member of the Conference.” Biggs called Cheney and Kinzinger “two spies for the Democrats”.

Not much has come out from the committee about the Jan. 6th investigation. Last week, committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson issued broad requests for information to law enforcement agencies and social media companies about the planning of the insurrection. Earlier this week, he asked technology and telecommunications platforms to preserve personal communications surrounding the attack.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy threatened those companies against preserving records on Twitter. “If these companies comply with the Democrat order to turn over private information, they are in violation of federal law and subject to losing their ability to operate in the United States,” Rep. McCarthy said. “If companies still choose to violate federal law, a Republican majority will not forget and will stand with Americans to hold them fully accountable under the law.

These developments are not expected to be the last regarding the Capitol riot. Groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are planning to attend a rally later this month at the Capitol to demand justice for the hundreds of people who have been charged in connection with the riot. U.S. Capitol Police have been discussing whether the large perimeter fence that was erected outside the Capitol after the  riot will need to be put back in place.