Former Tennessee Congressman Zach Wamp, a Republican, is one of several former lawmakers who signed a letter this week applauding Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY At-large District) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16) for their work investigating the events of January 6.
Representative Cheney, a Republican who serves Wyoming’s at-large Congressional district, serves as vice-chair of the January 6 Select Committee. Kinzinger also serves on the committee.
Wamp did not return The Tennessee Star’s request for comment on Thursday.
In the letter, Wamp and other members of the Washington, D.C.-based Issue One urged for a thorough and objective investigation. Issue One members, according to their website, want to “unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to strengthen American democracy.”
In this week’s letter, Wamp and other former representatives said more members of the GOP must assist with the committee’s work.
“As former members [of Congress], we know firsthand how essential bipartisan cooperation is for the preservation of our republic and our shared values, and we strongly commend the contributions of Republican members Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger,” Issue One members wrote.
“We sincerely hope other Republicans will join efforts to pursue the truth and facts surrounding the events of January 6.”
Wamp and the letter’s other co-signers described the people who came to the U.S. Capitol on January 6 of this year as “a violent mob” who did “lasting damage to our democratic norms and institutions.”
Other co-signers included, among others, former representatives and senators Carol Moseley Braun, Russ Feingold, Dick Gephardt, Gary Hart, Susan Molinari, Leon Panetta, Tim Roemer, and Tim Roemer.
Wamp, in September, said Congress should restrict the ability of a U.S. senator or U.S. representative to challenge the counting of electoral votes as submitted by individual states.
In February, Wamp said Time Magazine mischaracterized him and his role with a coalition of well-known political figures and what they did in the months leading up to the November 2020 presidential election.
The Time article seemed to brag that various groups collaborated “behind the scenes” to defeat former U.S. President Donald Trump. The article attracted nationwide attention. Author Molly Ball described “a well-funded cabal of powerful people” who worked to “influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information.”
Time quoted Wamp, a Republican, more than once.
The magazine said Wamp and a bipartisan coalition of well-known political figures belonged to this cabal. Ball, in her piece, said Wamp and other officials actively worked against Trump’s best interests. Wamp and other officials identify this coalition as the National Council on Election Integrity.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
