Kevin Lamarque | Reuters It’s still possible that the Jan. 6 panel investigating the attack on the US Capitol will bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump to the Department of Justice, Rep. Liz Cheney said. “It’s a decision we’ll make together as a committee,” the Wyoming Republican said in an interview on ABC News’ “This Week” that aired Sunday. Members of the committee appear divided on whether to potentially refer a case against Trump, who some believe is responsible for the 2021 attack. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-MS, who chairs the committee, said on last month that if the DOJ reviews the hearings and decides to review them further, they would, but criminal law referrals are “not our job.” Other committee members, including Cheney, quickly shot back, saying the committee had yet to vote on whether to recommend criminal referrals to the department. “There is no question that he was involved in high crimes and misdemeanors,” Cheney told ABC News. “I think there’s no question that it’s the most serious betrayal of his oath of office by any president in the history of the nation. It’s the most dangerous behavior by any president in the history of the nation.” Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Republicans are reportedly preparing for Trump to announce his 2024 re-election bid as early as this summer as damaging revelations continue to emerge from the Jan. 6 hearings. But if that happens, the GOP likely wouldn’t be able to continue operating as it has, Cheney said. “I don’t think he can be the party’s nominee. And I don’t think the party would survive that,” Cheney told ABC News. “I believe in the party and I believe in what the party can be and what the party can stand for. And I’m not ready to give it up.” “Those of us who believe in Republican principles and ideals have a responsibility to try to lead the party back to what it can be, and reject and reject so much of the toxins and the vitriol,” he added. CNBC reported last week that support from some of the GOP’s biggest donors for a Trump campaign is waning. Republican fundraisers and their advisers have been meeting privately since the committee began releasing the initial findings of its investigation, according to interviews with top fundraisers. The lack of interest in supporting the former president could boost fundraising efforts for other Republican candidates. Cheney has acknowledged the possibility of launching her own presidential bid, but told ABC News she hasn’t “made a decision on that yet.” If she were to launch a bid, Cheney would join a 2024 GOP field that appears to already be shaping up. Several Republicans could run in 2024, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Tom Cotton.
