Liz Cheney on Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, and Jeff Bezos
Nov 4, 2024
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Liz Cheney, former Wyoming representative and a fierce critic of Donald Trump, discusses her political journey and the growing dissent against Trump among military leaders. She passionately defends Vice-President Kamala Harris as a stable option amid fears surrounding Trump's influence. Cheney highlights the chilling effect on endorsements, citing Jeff Bezos’ caution, and addresses the evolving political landscape in America. Reflecting on her own experiences, she emphasizes the need for integrity in politics and the importance of learning from past mistakes.
Liz Cheney's stance against Donald Trump following the January 6th insurrection showcases her commitment to political principles over party loyalty despite personal consequences.
Cheney highlights the alarming trend of Republican leaders prioritizing political survival over accountability, threatening the integrity of American democracy and governance.
Deep dives
Liz Cheney's Political Journey
Liz Cheney, once a prominent Republican leader, took a definitive stand against Donald Trump following the January 6th insurrection, culminating in her impeachment vote. Despite the potential risks to her political career, she prioritized her principles and was ultimately ousted by Wyoming voters. Cheney has since shifted her focus to supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting the significant implications a second Trump term could have on women's rights and healthcare access across the country. With her background in Republican politics, Cheney believes that many women who may not publicly voice their support for Harris will ultimately help secure her victory at the polls.
The Impact of Trump's Leadership
Cheney discusses the perception of Donald Trump's leadership, particularly noting that several former military and security officials now view him as a security threat and even a fascist. This unprecedented coalition of opposition, including some long-time Republican supporters, raises concerns about Trump's impact on the future of the Republican Party and American democracy. Cheney's assertion is that Trump's rhetoric, including support for extreme measures, must be assessed seriously rather than dismissed as mere exaggeration. The loyalty of some Republicans to Trump, despite expressing doubts about his character, indicates a troubling trend of prioritizing political survival over principled decision-making.
Call for Accountability in Politics
Cheney emphasizes the need for accountability among elected officials, asserting that many Republicans have sacrificed their values to avoid backlash from Trump's base. She reflects on a moment during the certification of the 2020 election results when many Republican lawmakers chose to object instead of upholding their constitutional duties. Furthermore, Cheney critiques the hesitance of prominent Republican figures, like Mitch McConnell, to confront Trump directly, suggesting that complacency contributed to the current political climate. Ultimately, she believes a collective failure among Republicans to stand up against harmful political practices has broader implications for the health of democracy itself.
In recent weeks and months, dozens of prominent security and military officials and Republican politicians have come out against Donald Trump, declaring him a security threat, unfit for office, and, in some cases, a fascist. Way out in front of this movement was Liz Cheney. Up until 2021, she was the third-ranking Republican in Congress, but after the January 6th insurrection she voted to impeach Trump. She then served as vice-chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6th attack. She must have expected it would cost her the midterms and her seat in Congress, which ended up being the case when Wyoming voters rejected her in 2022. Since then, Cheney has gone further, campaigning forcefully on behalf of Vice-President Harris. David Remnick spoke with Cheney last week at The New Yorker Festival, shortly after Jeff Bezos, owner of the Washington Post, blocked its planned endorsement of Harris. “It absolutely proves the danger of Donald Trump,” Cheney said. “When you have Jeff Bezos apparently afraid to issue an endorsement for the only candidate in the race who’s a stable, responsible adult, because he fears Donald Trump, that tells you why we have to work so hard to make sure that Donald Trump isn’t elected,” Cheney told Remnick. “And I cancelled my subscription to the Washington Post.”