House Republicans didn’t waste any time after President-elect Donald Trump gave them a clear message: carry out his plans for payback. On Tuesday, the House Administration’s oversight subcommittee released a report accusing Liz Cheney of breaking the law when she communicated with January 6 subcommittee witness Cassidy Hutchinson.
Trump has made it no secret that he wants members of the January 6 committee to face serious consequences. He even told a media outlet he wanted to see them end up in jail. For years, Republicans used to downplay Trump’s more extreme statements, saying, “Take him seriously, not literally.” But now, it seems the party is ready to turn his words into action.
The subcommittee’s report seems to back Trump’s hardline stance. Trump praised Congressman Barry Loudermilk, the subcommittee chair, for the report. In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Liz Cheney could be in a lot of trouble based on the evidence obtained by the subcommittee, which states that ‘numerous federal laws were likely broken by Liz Cheney, and these violations should be investigated by the FBI.’ Thank you to Congressman Barry Loudermilk on a job well done.”
Trump has long held a grudge against Cheney. She was one of the few Republicans who openly stood against him, and he hasn’t let it go. During the election, Trump even made a chilling remark, suggesting Cheney should be figuratively placed in harm’s way for her support of past U.S. wars.
Cheney isn’t the only one Trump seems focused on. Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, a vocal Trump critic who is set to retire, has also been a target. Romney voted to convict Trump in both impeachment trials and has repeatedly criticized the former president’s grip on the Republican Party. When asked if he feared Trump’s potential retribution, Romney told a reporter he wasn’t worried. “I’ve lived a pretty good, clean life, so I’m not worried about that,” he said.
But Trump’s targets aren’t limited to politicians. He has also turned his attention to the press. Recently, he filed a lawsuit against The Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer. Trump accused them of releasing a flawed poll that showed Kamala Harris leading him in Iowa, a state that has leaned Republican in recent years. Although the poll turned out to be inaccurate, with Trump eventually beating Harris by a wide margin, he claimed the poll was an intentional attempt to sway the election. Selzer has since announced her retirement.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who will lead the Senate Judiciary Committee when Republicans take the majority, brushed off Trump’s legal actions. “Guess he can sue anybody he wants to — he’s suing a lot of people,” Grassley said when asked for his thoughts.
Instead of challenging Trump’s behavior, Grassley seems more focused on confirming judges, much like he did during Trump’s first term. This approach highlights the deep influence Trump still holds over the Republican Party. Rather than acting as a balancing force for the next administration, many Republicans appear ready to fully support Trump’s agenda.
This shift underscores a growing trend: Trump isn’t just a former president or a candidate. He’s a force driving the Republican Party, shaping its actions and priorities, often in his own image.
