President-elect Donald Trump stirred controversy in a recent interview, asserting that all members of the Jan. 6 committee, including Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), “should go to jail” for their role in investigating the protests at the Capitol. Speaking with NBC’s Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, Trump outlined his vision for retribution while emphasizing his focus on restoring the country.
During the exchange, Welker referenced the committee and its members, including now-California Sen. Elect Adam Schiff (D), prompting Trump to state, “And Cheney was behind it, and so was Bennie Thompson, and everybody on that committee — for what they did, honestly, they should go to jail.”
“Honestly, they should all go to jail.”
Donald Trump told NBC Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker in an interview about his “day one” plans, airing Sunday, that he believes all members of the January 6 committee should be thrown in jail – though he stopped short of outright… pic.twitter.com/l8x9mUpcRM
— LD Basler (@ArmaLite15OU812) December 8, 2024
When asked if he would direct his administration to pursue legal action against them, Trump clarified, “No, not at all. I think that they’ll have to look at that, but I’m not gonna — I’m gonna focus on drill, baby, drill.”
This comment coincides with earlier remarks from Trump’s attorney general nominee, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has long advocated for investigating the investigators. In 2023, Bondi asserted on Fox News that a future Trump administration would expose corruption within the Department of Justice, saying, “The prosecutors will be prosecuted…and the house needs to be cleaned out.”
Despite his pointed remarks about the committee, Trump reiterated his commitment to moving the country forward. “I’m not looking to go back into the past,” he said. “Retribution will be through success…We have a country now that’s overridden with crime, that has millions of people that shouldn’t be here.”
Trump told NBC News' Kristen Welker that Liz Cheney and his other opponents on the January 6 committee should all “go to jail.” pic.twitter.com/yNSwERFrk5
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) December 8, 2024
Trump also touched on key policy priorities, promising to restore economic stability and tighten border security. “I won on two things: the border…and I won on groceries,” he said, highlighting his focus on reducing costs and addressing illegal immigration.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, his bold statements and plans for accountability signal a contentious and eventful term ahead.
