Recent reports have surfaced regarding communications between former January 6 Select Committee Vice-Chair Liz Cheney and Cassidy Hutchinson, a key witness in the committee’s investigation. These communications, occurring in 2022, have raised ethical questions, particularly given Cheney’s background in law. This article delves into the details of these communications and explores the context surrounding the discussions.
Unveiling the Correspondence Between Cheney and Hutchinson
According to documents obtained by House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight Chairman Barry Loudermilk, Liz Cheney engaged in correspondence with Cassidy Hutchinson both directly and indirectly through Alyssa Farah Griffin. This occurred while Hutchinson was still under investigation by the January 6 Select Committee and represented by her attorney, Stefan Passantino.
The Select Committee had conducted multiple interviews with Hutchinson, with Passantino representing her during the initial three. The timeline indicates that Cheney’s communications began in April 2022.
The Role of Alyssa Farah Griffin
Cassidy Hutchinson reportedly reached out to Alyssa Farah Griffin following her second transcribed interview with the Select Committee. Farah Griffin, a former White House colleague of Hutchinson and a public critic of Trump since January 2021, was known to be cooperating with the Select Committee’s investigation.
Hutchinson and Farah Griffin met at Farah Griffin’s home on April 26, 2022. During this meeting, Hutchinson allegedly disclosed that she possessed further information relevant to the Select Committee’s inquiry. Farah Griffin then agreed to facilitate communication between Hutchinson and Liz Cheney to arrange another interview. This new testimony was expected to include Hutchinson’s account of President Trump allegedly agreeing with rioters chanting “Hang Mike Pence.”
Ethical Concerns and Legal Background
Text messages suggest that Cheney and Hutchinson communicated through Farah Griffin using the encrypted messaging app “Signal.” The report suggests that Cheney was aware of the potential ethical implications of communicating directly with Hutchinson without involving her legal counsel, Stefan Passantino.
A text message from Farah Griffin to Hutchinson indicated that Cheney’s “one concern was so long as [sic] you have counsel, she can’t really ethically talk to you without him.” This statement points to an understanding of legal ethics, particularly concerning communication with individuals represented by counsel, a principle deeply ingrained in the legal profession. Given that Liz Cheney is indeed a lawyer, having graduated from Yale Law School and practiced law before entering politics, her awareness of these ethical boundaries is particularly noteworthy.
Conclusion: Navigating Ethical Boundaries
The correspondence between Liz Cheney and Cassidy Hutchinson raises questions about the appropriateness of communications between a committee leader and a witness outside of formal legal channels. Cheney’s background as a lawyer adds another layer to this analysis, as legal professionals are held to specific ethical standards regarding communication, especially when investigations are involved. The details of these communications continue to be scrutinized as part of the ongoing discussion surrounding the January 6th investigation and the conduct of those involved.
