Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming was removed from her leadership position in the Republican caucus of the House of Representatives on Wednesday morning in the outcome of an internal battle seen as a bellwether of the future direction of the party. Immediately after the meeting where she was stripped of her position, Cheney said she was “absolutely committed” to not embracing Donald Trump’s “big lie” about the election. “We cannot both embrace.
Democratic aides say the GOP leadership jockeying is evidence of the Republican Party’s unwavering allegiance to Trump.
House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., talks to reporters during a news conference in 2019. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
WASHINGTON (CN) Congresswoman Liz Cheney, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, has had enough of Republicans supporting former President Donald Trump’s claims of a stolen 2020 election and in reaction, the conference is set to cast a vote next week on whether to replace her.
Cheney, who represents Wyoming, wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Wednesday outlining her frustration with the situation.
May 6, 2021
SHOW TRANSCRIPT
Congresswoman Liz Cheney is speaking out as she faces potential removal from her House leadership role.
She wrote in The Washington Post that the Republican party is at a turning point and must decide whether we are going to choose truth and fidelity to the constitution.
The third-highest-ranking House Republican is facing opposition from her party for saying the 2020 presidential election was not stolen and that anyone spreading what s been dubbed the big lie is poisoning the democratic system.
Wednesday, former President Trump and number two House GOP leader Congressman Steve Scalise endorsed Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who is a staunch Trump supporter. Cheney acknowledges embracing the president s statements may help lawmakers politically but says it will do profound long-term damage to the Republican party and the country.