Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) Thursday took an apparent swipe at Ron DeSantis over the Florida governor’s comments about potentially pardoning Jan. 6 rioters.
DeSantis on Thursday said he’d consider pardoning some of those who were convicted in connection with the insurrection – including former President Donald Trump – if he's elected as president.
The Florida governor suggested political motives were behind the prosecution of Jan. 6 defendants.
“The DOJ and FBI have been weaponized,” DeSantis during an appearance on “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show.”
“On day one, I will have folks that will get together and look at all these cases, people who are victims of weaponization or political targeting, and we will be aggressive at issuing pardons.”
DeSantis avoided directly answering the question over whether he’d pardon the former president if he were to be convicted of a federal crime but left the door open.
“I would say any example of this favored treatment based on politics, or weaponization, would be included in that review, no matter how small or how big,” DeSantis said.
The attack on the Capitol that aimed to overturn the 2020 election left five people dead and 140 law enforcement officials injured.
Cheney, who served as co-chair of the House January 6 Committee, tweeted that she considers such views to be a deal-breaker.
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“Any candidate who says they will pardon Jan. 6 defendants is not qualified to be President,” Cheney said.
As of May 5, more than 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with Jan. 6 of which more than 300 have been charged with obstructing or impeding an official proceeding, and nearly 350 others have been charged with assaulting officers, the Justice Department said in a statement.
\u201cAny candidate who says they will pardon Jan. 6 defendants is not qualified to be President.\u201d— Liz Cheney (@Liz Cheney) 1685050431
