The editorial board of a prominent Pennsylvania newspaper published an article Friday against state Republican Representative Scott Perry, after he was accused of seeking a pre-emptive pardon from former President Donald Trump following the January 6 Capitol riot. 2021.
On Thursday, the select committee of the House investigating last year’s riots said in its first public hearing that Perry, along with “other Republican congressmen,” asked for presidential pardons for his role in trying to cancel the election. presidential elections of 2020.
The allegations were made by Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney and vice chair of the committee, who said Perry played a key role in trying to undermine the election. However, it has not yet provided specific details of the allegations and Perry’s office has vehemently denied the allegations.
However, the indictment caused the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one of the largest newspapers in the state, to question Perry’s moral and ethical behavior.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Friday criticized Pennsylvania GOP Representative Scott Perry for seeking a presidential pardon following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Above, Perry speaks outside the Capitol on the 28th. February in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer / Getty Images
“Legal experts agree that presidential pardons are intended for people accused or convicted of federal crimes. It is extremely rare for someone to receive a pre-trial pardon for a crime already committed but not charged. Representative Perry had led an effort to revoke the results of the presidential election, but he had not been charged with any crime, “the newspaper’s editorial board wrote. “Did the very act of asking admit to criminal or unethical behavior? Why not ask? It certainly raises suspicions.”
The document also noted that Perry is one of the few lawmakers who has refused to cooperate with a citation from the House select committee, suggesting he is likely to “try to hide” information, according to the Post-Gazette.
“Are you implicitly admitting that you couldn’t tell the committee the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” asked the editorial board. “The House Freedom Caucus, which he presides over, says he supports the Constitution and the rule of law. His request for a pre-trial pardon and his refusal to honor a legitimate demand for his testimony suggest other priorities.” .
In response to Cheney’s claim, a Perry spokesman told Newsweek on Friday that the accusation is “a ridiculous, soulless lie.” The deputy later reiterated this statement with his own statement on Twitter.
“The idea that I have ever apologized for myself or for other members of Congress is an absolute, shameless, and soulless lie,” he tweeted Friday.
The idea that I have once apologized for myself or for other members of Congress is an absolute, shameless, and soulless lie.
– RepScottPerry (@RepScottPerry) June 10, 2022
The indictment appeared to be the first time the House select committee has publicly confirmed Perry’s efforts to seek a pardon. The committee had previously accused him of being directly involved in efforts to install a pro-Trump Justice Department lawyer, Jeffrey Clark, as well as having talks with the White House about unfounded claims that the voting machines were manipulated against Trump.