With horrors of the January 6 riots still fresh in their minds, Republican lawmakers initially criticised the incident with fierce words. But as the story unfolded and then-President Donald Trump was connected to the riots, the views started to change. More clarity is expected as the House Select Committee prepares to conduct public hearings starting June 9, 2022.

However, this was not true for all Republican lawmakers. Many GOP members and affiliates have continued to criticise the former President, putting their political future in harm’s way. Representative Liz Cheney is one such Republican lawmaker.

Also Read: Jan 6 investigations refresh Watergate memories

Liz Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, was removed as conference chair by House Republicans months after the Capitol riots. “I will do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office”, she said after the vote.

Kevin McCarthy (House minority leader)

Then: “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters”, McCarthy said after then-President Donald Trump’s impeachment hearing at the House of Representatives.

Later: Just a week after the impeachment hearing, McCarthy told reporters, “I don’t believe he provoked it, if you listen to what he said at the rally”, Associated Press reported.

Mitch McConnell (Senate minority leader)

Then: McConnell spoke of the “failed insurrection” the night of the attack and said Congress “will not be kept out of this chamber by thugs, mobs, or threats.” McConnell also said that Trump was “practically and morally responsible” for the January 6 riots.

Later: McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, then made a U-turn just a month after his initial statements. He said if Trump was a candidate in the 2024 presidential elections, he would “absolutely” get his vote.

Also Read: Why Mike Pence will be central figure at Jan. 6 hearing

Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina)

Then: Lindsey delivered an emotional speech shortly after the January 6 riots. He even suggested that he would let go of ties with Trump, which the two forged during the presidency.

“From my point of view, he (Trump) has been a consequential president. But today, the first thing you will see, all I can say is, count me out. Enough is enough. I tried to be helpful”, Graham said, according to AP reports.

Later: “Can we move forward without President Trump? The answer is no,” Graham told Fox News host Sean Hannity in the spring of 2021. “I have determined we can not grow without him.”