Liz Cheney: 5 Essential Facts About the GOP Rep. from Wyoming
Former Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) has been actively collaborating with Vice President Kamala Harris as the critical Election Day nears on November 5. This partnership has drawn intense scrutiny and ignited heated responses from former President Donald Trump. Cheney’s involvement underscores her commitment to democratic values and her refusal to align with the controversial narratives perpetuated by Trump and his supporters.
In a recent outburst, Trump branded Cheney a “radical war hawk” and made alarming remarks suggesting, “Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Let’s see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.” These comments reflect Trump’s ongoing attempts to undermine those who oppose him, showcasing a disturbing trend in political rhetoric that can incite violence against public figures.
Cheney swiftly condemned Trump’s remarks, likening them to the threats typically issued by dictators. She stated, “This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death.” Such a response highlights the grave implications of Trump’s language and the importance of defending democratic principles and the safety of those who courageously speak out against tyranny.
To learn more about Cheney, a political figure who has consistently issued warnings about Trump’s influence and the potential consequences for democracy, continue reading below. Her steadfast commitment to her principles and the Constitution sets her apart in a tumultuous political landscape.
1. Liz Cheney’s Leadership Role as Chair of the House Republican Conference
Cheney served as the Chair of the House Republican Conference, holding the third-highest leadership position for Republicans in the House of Representatives since 2019. Her tenure was marked by significant challenges, particularly as she began to openly criticize former President Donald Trump for his persistent promotion of the “Big Lie” regarding election fraud and his involvement in the Capitol siege. After her pivotal vote with Democrats to impeach Trump in January, a faction within the House, led by Minority Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), initiated efforts to remove her from her leadership role. Ultimately, a House committee voted in a closed session to oust Cheney on May 12, highlighting the deep divisions within the party.
2. Cheney’s Urgent Warning to Colleagues About Trump’s Threat to Democracy
During the private meeting that resulted in her ousting from House leadership, Cheney passionately urged her colleagues not to allow Trump to make the Republican Party “complicit in his efforts to unravel our democracy.” According to a source who spoke to ABC News, Cheney emphasized the necessity of maintaining integrity within the GOP and the importance of truth in political discourse.
In her remarks, she stated: “Our nation needs this Republican Party as a strong party based on truth so we can shape the future. To do that, we must be true to our principles and to the Constitution. We cannot let the former president drag us backward and make us complicit in his efforts to unravel our democracy. Down that path lies our destruction, and potentially the destruction of our country. If you want leaders who will enable and spread his destructive lies, I’m not your person; you have plenty of others to choose from. That will be their legacy.”
“We cannot be dragged backward by the very dangerous lies of a former president.”
Rep. Liz Cheney delivered remarks shortly after being ousted from House GOP leadership amid criticism of former Pres. Trump. https://t.co/alrE7kblYd pic.twitter.com/7L2QP7npYU
— ABC News (@ABC) May 13, 2021
3. Cheney’s Bold Endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Race
In a surprising political move, Cheney publicly endorsed Kamala Harris in September, emerging as one of the most prominent Republicans to support a Democrat in a highly polarized political climate. Her endorsement signified a clear rejection of Trump and his brand of politics.
“Because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris,” Cheney stated in a video shared on X. This statement not only underscores her commitment to democratic principles but also positions her as a pivotal figure within the Republican Party who prioritizes the nation’s welfare over party loyalty.
In response to her endorsement, Harris’s campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, expressed gratitude, stating, “The Vice President is proud to have earned Congresswoman Cheney’s vote. She is a patriot who loves this country and puts our democracy and our Constitution first.” This endorsement has significant implications for the Republican Party’s future direction and its relationship with centrist voters.
Liz Cheney: “If you really believe, as I do, that Donald Trump is too dangerous ever again to be near the Oval Office, then I think that it’s incumbent upon us to go the extra step and actually cast a vote for Vice President Harris.” pic.twitter.com/XhnSFx1Iy0
— Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) September 23, 2024
4. Liz Cheney’s Legacy as the Daughter of Former Vice President Dick Cheney
Liz Cheney is the eldest daughter of Dick Cheney, who notably served as Vice President under former President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. Cheney has continued her family’s political legacy by occupying the same congressional seat her father held as Wyoming’s congressman from 1979 to 1989. This connection adds a layer of depth to her political identity, as she navigates the complexities of her family’s legacy while forging her own path in a rapidly changing political landscape.
5. Liz Cheney’s Consideration of a Third-Party Presidential Run
As one of Trump’s most vocal critics in an increasingly fractured GOP, many political analysts viewed Cheney as a potential leader for a third-party movement. In her final speech before her ouster, she declared, “I promise you this, after today, I will be leading the fight to restore our party and our nation to conservative principles, to defeating socialism, to defending our republic, to making the GOP worthy again of being the party of Lincoln.”
However, by the end of 2023, Cheney clarified her intentions, stating that her primary objective was to prevent Trump from regaining the presidency. “I won’t do anything that would help him,” she asserted during an interview on CBS Mornings, emphasizing the necessity of supporting “pro-Constitution candidates, no matter their party.” This commitment highlights her dedication to fostering bipartisan cooperation in the face of divisive politics.