Liz Cheney, the former Republican representative from Wyoming, appeared on Larry Sabato’s “Politics is Everything” podcast. She explained why she thought the speaker of the House was a dangerous choice.
The background
In early October, a small group of Republicans joined with Democrats to oust the speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. That kicked off three weeks of bitter Republican infighting over who should succeed him.
A new choice
After much debate, House Republicans finally settled on Rep. Mike Johnson. While Johnson was not as infamous as some of his bolder colleagues, like Jim Jordan, he was the fifth-ranking House Republican before being elected speaker.
Cheney unhappy
Former Rep. Liz Cheney called Johnson a “dangerous” choice. She said it was “a concerning moment to have him be elected speaker of the House.”
Johnson’s critics
Johnson has drawn widespread criticism for his extreme religious views, which led to many comparing his election to The Handmaid’s Tale. He’s spent years fighting against women’s rights and rights for LGBTQ+ people.
Cheney’s logic
For Cheney, however, the most concerning thing about Johnson is his continued support for President Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Johnson, the ringleader
Mike Johnson played a vital role in the attempt to overturn the election. He penned the amicus brief that supported overturning the results and then convinced more than 100 fellow Republicans to sign onto the lawsuit.
Cheney speaks out
“He was acting in ways that he knew to be wrong,” Cheney said. “I think that the country, unfortunately, will come to see the measure of his character.”
Weak morals
Johnson “says that he is committed to defending the Constitution,” Cheney said. However, the former representative doubts Johnson is truly committed.
All for Trump
Johnson “was willing to set aside what he knew to be the rulings of the courts, the requirements of the Constitution, in order to placate Donald Trump,” Cheney explained.
Johnson dodges accountability
Shortly after Johnson was nominated for the position of speaker of the House, a reporter asked him about his attempts to overturn the election. Instead of an answer, Johnson let his colleagues boo and then simply asked for the “next question.”
Cheney vs. Trump
Cheney was one of the most outspoken critics of Trump while she was still in Congress.
Impeachment
In 2021, Cheney voted to impeach Trump after the January 6 insurrection. She was one of only 10 House Republicans to do so.
Cheney investigates
Cheney subsequently became the vice chairwoman on the panel created to investigate the attack on the U.S. Capitol building.
Defeat
Cheney’s efforts against and criticism of Trump earned her the former President’s ire. He endorsed Harriet Hageman, who defeated Cheney in the 2022 midterm primary elections.
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