Jan. 6 committee could be final hurrah for Cheney and Kinzinger

The Jan. 6 select committee tasked with investigating the Capitol riot could be a last hurrah of sorts for the two most outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump in the House Republican conference.

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney faces a smattering of primary opponents for her at-large district who are outraged at her turn away from Trump. The former president is determined to crown a queen-slayer.

Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger also has a few Republican primary challengers. The more serious threat to his seat is Illinois’s redistricting process that could draw new district lines, essentially eliminating his current north-central district or tilting it Democratic enough to eliminate his chance of winning reelection.

Those obstacles mean there is a distinct possibility neither outspoken lawmaker will remain in office come 2023. With that reality in play, and some Republicans calling to remove the two lawmakers from their committee assignments, the Jan. 6 committee could be one of their last prime opportunities to make their stamps on Congress and the future of the Republican Party.

Kinzinger and Cheney were appointed to the select committee by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In participating in the committee, they're going against the wishes of Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who pulled all five of his committee recommendations after Pelosi rejected two of his picks. McCarthy on Monday called the pair "Pelosi Republicans."

Cheney, stripped of her No. 3 leadership position earlier this year after Republican frustration about her criticism of Trump, will deliver an opening statement in the first select committee hearing on Tuesday morning.

As the Wyoming congresswoman takes a starring role in the committee, Trump is meeting with some of Cheney’s primary challengers this week (not including state Sen. Anthony Bouchard, who has raised the most grassroots money out of all of her challengers) to help him determine who to endorse.