Rep. Elise Stefanik
Elise Marie StefanikGOP lawmaker called on Biden to 'resign immediately' after 'botched withdrawal' from Afghanistan A tale of two chambers: Trump's power holds in House, wanes in Senate Wyoming GOP leaders say they no longer recognize Cheney as party member MORE (R-N.Y.) called Rep. Liz Cheney
Elizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyHouse Republicans call for inspector general investigation of Afghanistan troop withdrawal Press: Why is Mo Brooks still in the House? 3 in 4 say removal of US troops from Afghanistan has gone badly: poll MORE (R-Wyo.) a "Pelosi pawn" Tuesday night following the first day the House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection heard testimony from Capitol Police officers.
During an episode of Fox News's "Hannity" Tuesday night, the No. 3 Republican said, "when it comes to Liz Cheney, she is a Pelosi Republican, a Pelosi pawn at this point."
"She does not represent the Republican conference, or Republican voters, or the American people," Stefanik added.
Stefanik calls Cheney a “Pelosi pawn” pic.twitter.com/Zse7RTxw5C
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 28, 2021
Cheney, a vociferous critic of former President Trump
Donald TrumpSupreme Court rebuffs Biden over Trump-era 'Remain in Mexico' policy Judge declares mistrial in Michael Avenatti embezzlement case Herschel Walker files paperwork to run for Senate in Georgia MORE, was chosen by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi2 House lawmakers make secret trip to Afghanistan amid evacuations House approves John Lewis voting rights measure Overnight Energy: Interior moves ahead with drilling lease sales after judge halts pause MORE (D-Calif.) to serve on the select committee to investigate the events of the deadly Jan. 6 riots.
During the first day of hearings Tuesday, Cheney offered a cutting rebuke of the former president and his role in the attack, asking Capitol Police officers who were present on that day what they thought of Trump's comment that the rioters were a "loving" crowd.
“When you think about that and share with us the vivid memory of the cruelty and the violence of the assault that day and then you hear former President Trump say quote ‘It was a loving crowd. There was a lot of love in the crowd,’ how does that make you feel?” Cheney asked U.S. Capitol Police Officer Aquilino Gonell.
The officer responded: “It’s upsetting. It’s a pathetic excuse for his behavior, for something that he himself helped to create — this monstrosity. I'm still recovering from those 'hugs and kisses' that day,” he said.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthyHouse approves John Lewis voting rights measure Lawmakers from both parties push back at Biden's Aug. 31 deadline Press: Why is Mo Brooks still in the House? MORE (R-Calif.) made similar remarks to Stefanik on Monday, deriding Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger
Adam Daniel KinzingerPress: Why is Mo Brooks still in the House? Jan. 6 committee to seek lawmaker records Sunday shows - Afghanistan's collapse in the spotlight MORE (Ill.), the only Republicans serving on the panel, as "Pelosi Republicans."
Stefanik's comments on Tuesday mark the latest back and forth between her and Cheney.
After Stefanik said earlier on Tuesday that Americans "deserve to know the truth — that Nancy Pelosi bears responsibility as Speaker of the House for the tragedy that occurred on January 6," Cheney hit back at her remarks on CNN's "The Lead."
"If I were saying the things that you just played, I'd be deeply ashamed of myself. What happened is absolutely clear. We had, as we heard this morning, just intolerable cruelty. A mob that was assembled by President Trump, was provoked by him," Cheney said.
Stefanik took Cheney's place as the House Republican Conference Chair in May after Cheney was ousted in a private vote.
