Former Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney has recently revealed that she is keeping open the possibility of a presidential run to challenge the influence of Donald Trump. Cheney, who has been critical of Trump’s efforts to undermine the 2020 election, expressed concerns about newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson’s support for these baseless claims. In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Cheney described Johnson as “dangerous” for the country due to his alignment with Trump’s attempts to overturn the election results.
Cheney, speaking on the “Politics is Everything” podcast from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, emphasized the dangers of elected Republicans who knowingly perpetuate false narratives that undermine the integrity of the republic. She specifically criticized Johnson’s involvement in convincing fellow House Republicans to sign an amicus brief supporting Trump’s legal challenges to the election. According to Cheney, Johnson’s actions were knowingly wrong and demonstrate a lack of character.
Mike Johnson assumed the speakership on October 25, following a period of turmoil within the GOP. Eight Republicans, along with every Democrat, voted to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position, leading to Johnson’s election. Despite being a member of House GOP leadership, Johnson gained support from both conservative and moderate factions within the party. Cheney, who previously held the chair of the GOP conference but was removed due to her anti-Trump stance, had worked closely with Johnson during her time in the House.
Cheney expressed disappointment in Johnson’s failure to uphold the rulings of the courts and the requirements of the Constitution in an effort to appease Donald Trump. She described his actions as prioritizing political expedience over defending the Constitution, highlighting her concerns about his election as speaker of the House. Cheney’s criticism comes in the wake of her loss in the 2022 GOP primary to Rep. Harriet Hageman, and her subsequent involvement in the House January 6 committee investigating Trump’s alleged role in the Capitol riot.
As of now, Johnson’s office has not responded to Cheney’s statements. The article concludes by mentioning that Liz Cheney has not ruled out a potential presidential run in 2024.
