Liz Cheney Wants Ginni Thomas Questioned by January 6 Committee

Representative Liz Cheney reportedly wants Ginni Thomas, the conservative activist and wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, to be questioned by the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot, according to a Politico reporter who cited an aide with knowledge of the matter.

This would mean that Cheney, the committee's Republican vice chair, agrees with Democratic Chairman Bennie Thompson's reported plans to ask to meet with Thomas.

Thomas has come under scrutiny in recent months over her alleged advocacy for overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election. Calls for the House committee to subpoena Thomas were renewed Thursday following reports that she emailed John Eastman, former President Donald Trump's campaign lawyer.

The Washington Post first reported Thursday that the House committee had obtained email correspondence between Thomas and Eastman, citing three people familiar with the panel's probe into the January 2021 attack on the Capitol. The unnamed people told the Post that Thomas' alleged efforts to help overturn the 2020 election were more extensive than was previously known, but they did not share further details.

Eastman, a Trump ally who has pushed baseless claims about election fraud, allegedly met with former Vice President Mike Pence in the days before the Capitol riot to discuss how he could prevent the transfer of power to President Joe Biden by not certifying electors from certain U.S. states. Pence reportedly rejected the notion.

Thomas' purported emails with Eastman may have inspired a shift in the House committee's thinking on whether to try to speak with her. The Post reported late last month that the committee was unlikely to request an appearance from her.

But Thompson told reporters Thursday the committee would "soon" seek an interview with Thomas, Insider reported.

Weeks before the Post's report on the purported correspondence between Thomas and Eastman, emails she sent to Arizona lawmakers, which urged them to "do your Constitutional duty" and seek an "audit" of the 2020 presidential election results, also came to light.

According to a full copy of the emails to the state legislators obtained by the Post, Thomas wrote, "Article II of the United States Constitution gives you an awesome responsibility: to choose our state's Electors. This means you have the power to fight back against fraud and ensure our elections are free, fair and honest."

Thomas also reportedly sent numerous text messages to Mark Meadows, Trump's former chief of staff, including one that read: "Help This Great President stand firm Mark!!! ... You are the leader, with him, who is standing for America's constitutional governance at the precipice. The majority knows Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History."

Newsweek reached out to Cheney and Thomas for comment.

Updated 6/16/22, 1:25 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information and background.