>There's no reason to say that unless you know they're actively committing federal crimes in the present day.

There are reasons. For example, you feel the justice system is going to be misused against them. Protection against future witch hunts basically.

I don't think this is what's happening here, and trump is on record talking very explicitly about weaponising the state against his enemies himself, but it's probably an excuse that will be used.

Not true. Liz Cheney hasn’t committed any crimes (as far as we know).