Georgia Rep. Barry Loudermilk released a report Tuesday claiming that former Rep. Liz Cheney and the January 6th Select Committee mishandled their investigation into the 2021 Capitol attack.
Loudermilk, who leads the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, also accused federal agencies of security failures, intelligence lapses, and obstructing inquiries into key aspects of the events.
What’s Happening: Loudermilk’s report alleges that Cheney communicated directly with Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide and key witness, without the knowledge of Hutchinson’s attorney. The report calls for Cheney to be investigated for possible witness tampering.
It also challenges several claims made by Hutchinson during the January 6th Select Committee hearings, including her testimony about former President Donald Trump, which Loudermilk’s team says lacked evidence.
The Select Committee is further accused of selectively presenting evidence, deleting records, and using its platform to promote what the report calls a political agenda.
Beyond the committee, the report criticizes agencies like the Department of Defense for delays in deploying the National Guard and failing to follow Trump’s earlier directive to prepare for potential unrest.
The FBI and Capitol Police are faulted for overlooking intelligence on threats to the Capitol and failing to investigate the construction of mock gallows on the Capitol grounds.
Who Made It Happen: The investigation and report were conducted by the Subcommittee on Oversight, a branch of the House Administration Committee chaired by Loudermilk, a Republican representing Georgia’s 11th District. Loudermilk has been a vocal critic of the January 6th Select Committee, which was formed under a Democratic House majority.
The Subcommittee has relied on interviews with witnesses, reviews of over 44,000 hours of Capitol security footage, and analysis of documents to produce its findings.
Why It Matters: The report represents Loudermilk’s efforts to challenge the work of the January 6th Select Committee and bring new scrutiny to its methods. By focusing on Cheney, a high-profile critic of Trump, and highlighting accusations of failures by federal agencies, Loudermilk’s findings could lead to further investigations or hearings.
The Subcommittee’s allegations add another layer to the political and legal debates surrounding January 6 and the events leading up to it.
Key Findings:
1. Allegations Against Cheney: Loudermilk accuses Cheney of engaging in unauthorized communication with Cassidy Hutchinson and attempting to disbar Hutchinson’s former attorney. The report labels these actions as potential witness tampering.
2. Criticism of Witness Testimony: The report disputes Hutchinson’s claims that Trump attacked a Secret Service agent on January 6 and alleges that the Select Committee knew her testimony was inaccurate but still publicized it.
3. Evidence Handling: The January 6th Select Committee is accused of withholding key evidence, deleting records, and failing to investigate critical aspects of the attack.
4. Security Failures: Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, are criticized for delayed responses and poor planning. The report alleges that Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller ignored Trump’s earlier orders to use “any and all” military assets to secure the Capitol.
5. Capitol Pipe Bomb Investigation: The Subcommittee reviewed efforts to investigate the pipe bombs discovered near the Capitol on January 5 and 6. A separate report on this issue is expected soon.
What’s Next: Loudermilk’s report will now be part of the ongoing record of January 6 investigations. The Subcommittee plans to release additional findings, including a detailed review of the pipe bomb investigation. It remains unclear whether any legal or procedural actions will follow from the report’s recommendations.
The Big Picture: For residents of Georgia’s 11th District, the report provides a window into how Congressman Barry Loudermilk is prioritizing his time in Washington. By focusing on the January 6th investigation and the actions of federal agencies, Loudermilk is addressing an issue that has drawn significant national attention and partisan division.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
