Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning

Cheney discusses the events surrounding the January 6 attack. Before the mob stormed the Capitol, Vice President Pence and Leader McConnell led the Senate members in a procession to the House chamber to count electoral votes. As the vote count proceeded, objections were raised when it came to counting Arizona’s electoral votes. This led to a joint session recess, and both houses met separately to debate the Arizona objection.

During the debate, Republican members argued against certifying the election results, even though they had not previously expressed concerns about Arizona’s elections. The situation escalated when the security threat of the riot became apparent. Members donned gas masks as police deployed tear gas against intruders in the Capitol rotunda. The chamber became a scene of panic as rioters attempted to breach the House chamber. Members and police barricaded the doors with whatever they could find.

The situation worsened with the sounds of as gunshots and shattering glass. Ashli Babbitt, a protestor, was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer while attempting to enter the Speaker’s lobby. Trump watched the events unfold on TV but did not intervene or instruct the mob to leave the Capitol.

Cheney continues to recount the events surrounding the attack. The chapter highlights the dangerous situation that unfolded as rioters hunted Vice President Mike Pence and as Trump exacerbated the situation with tweets. Trump had previously told his supporters that Pence could secure his victory, but now he claimed Pence had refused to do so.

The chapter describes the chaotic scene inside the Capitol as members of Congress and staff sought safety. Cheney met with Hakeem Jeffries, her Democratic counterpart, to discuss resuming the counting of electoral votes. However, tensions were high, and some members of the Freedom Caucus remained committed to objecting to the electoral vote count.

The chapter also discusses the injuries sustained by law enforcement officers during the attack and Markwayne Mullin’s attempt to persuade the objecting members to withdraw their objections. Despite the violence and the danger faced by lawmakers, some members continued to support objections to the electoral votes.

The chapter concludes with Cheney’s disappointment when she learned that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had misled her about his intentions regarding the objections, leading her to believe that he was lying.

Cheney describes the aftermath of the attack. She called into Bret Baier’s show on Fox News to discuss the seriousness of the situation and Trump’s responsibility for inciting the attack. She emphasized the importance of upholding their constitutional duties and condemned Trump’s actions.

Cheney reflects on the events of the day and her concerns about her Republican colleagues who still supported objections to the electoral vote count. She spoke with fellow lawmakers about the need to impeach Trump, given the clear and present danger he posed to the country.

The chapter also highlights Cheney’s emotional conversation with her daughter, Grace, who had been worried about Cheney’s safety during the attack. The end of the chapter describes how Cheney visited Statuary Hall and the rotunda to thank the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol, and she also checked on her father’s bust, which remained undamaged.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi reconvened the House of Representatives shortly after nine o’clock in the evening. Cheney listened to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy’s speech, where he initially condemned the violence but announced that Republicans would continue with the objections to the electoral vote count.

Cheney expresses her disappointment and disbelief at McCarthy’s decision to proceed with the objections despite the violence and destruction that had occurred. She views this as a betrayal of his oath to the Constitution and an act of cowardice. Cheney decided to walk out of the House chamber in protest.

The chapter contrasts McCarthy’s stance with that of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who strongly emphasized the importance of respecting the voters’ decision and defending the democratic process. Cheney reflects on her belief that McCarthy’s personal ambition overshadowed his principles.

Cheney agreed to yield her speaking time to Tom Reed, a New York Republican, and Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, to make bipartisan remarks condemning the violence and calling for unity.

The chapter concludes with the joint session of Congress completing the electoral vote counting, confirming Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump. Cheney acknowledges the ongoing danger as Trump had not yet condemned the attack or committed to leaving office, highlighting the continued threat to the country.