In one of the major bombshells revealed during the first of six scheduled televised hearings from the January 6th House Select Committee, the public learned that Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) approached Donald Trump for a presidential pardon in the waning weeks of his administration. And according to Vice-Chair Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), Perry wasn’t alone in asking for a preemptive pardon, but the country wouldn’t be able to hear that from the man himself. “Rep. Scott Perry… has refused to testify here,” said Rep. Cheney during the prime-time hearing.
But Rep. Cheney didn’t stop with Perry. “Multiple other Republican congressmen also sought presidential pardons for their roles in attempting to overturn the 2020 election,” she read into the historical record.
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 23: U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), joined by members of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks at a news conference on the infrastructure bill outside the Capitol Building on August 23, 2021 in Washington, DC. The group criticized the bill for being too expensive and for supporting special interests. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
If we’re to take Rep. Cheney at her word and only focus on House Republicans, the names of the usual suspects pop up. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted about the pardons, specifically taking aim at GOP Reps. Lauren Boebert (CO), Andrew Clyde (GA), Matt Gaetz (FL), Paul Gosar (AZ), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), and Jim Jordan (OH). She was also among several Democrats who confirmed that they had not requested a pardon from the former Republican president in a viral thread started by Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii.
Boebert didn’t answer the direct question from “Sandy,” however.
Ok Sandy, $5 a gallon gas, 3+ million illegals crossing our southern border, no baby formula, inflation higher than it’s been in both of our lifetimes, and this is what you want to talk about?
Like most people, asking for a pardon before you’re charged with anything seems like an admission of guilt. Rep Adam Schiff (D-CA), a member of the House Select Committee, certainly agrees. And while he couldn’t tell Rachel Maddow any of the other names just yet, it sounded like we’re going to find out soon.
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