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House Republicans voted to oust Rep. Liz Cheney from her leadership role as the GOP’s No. 3 in the chamber on Wednesday. A punishment for refusing to deny former President Donald Trump’s false claims of election fraud and his role in inciting the deadly Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack.
After a 20-minute closed door meeting, GOP lawmakers removed Cheney with a vocal response vote, according to sources. Some in the Republican party have questioned the motivates behind the Wyoming congresswoman’s rebuke of Trump, which is potentially a career-threatening move.
The daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney was Congress’ highest-ranking Republican woman and her removal leaves the party trying to find their moral compass. However, Cheney hopes to play a vital role in keeping Trump away from Washington, even without being in the upper-end of the GOP members.
“I will do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office,” Cheney told reporters.
Cheney’s replacement is widely expected to be Rep. Elise Stefanik, (R-N.Y.). A 36-year-old with only six years of experience as a lawmaker and at the time was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Stefanik has appealed to the younger generation of GOP members and fits the mold established by the party.
Stefanik also arrived in Congress with a decent background working for two GOP leaders in her 20’s. The Harvard graduate was part of President George W. Bush’s White House team, and assisted the campaigns of 2012 vice presidential nominee, Wisconsin Rep. and later House Speaker Paul Ryan.
“We must go forward based on truth,” Cheney added. “We cannot both embrace the big lie and embrace the Constitution.”
Trump, who is still blocked on most social media networks, has resorted to an email announcement to boast about Cheney’s removal. The statement also signaled the stranglehold he still has over the party even after serving his time as commander and chief.
“Liz Cheney is a bitter, horrible human being,” the ex-president wrote. “I watched her yesterday and realized how bad she is for the Republican Party. She has no personality or anything good having to do with politics or our Country. She is a talking point for Democrats, whether that means the Border, the gas lines, inflation, or destroying our economy.”
No Stefanik challenger has emerged, and it’s expected she’ll be ushered in to take Cheney’s place.
House Republicans ousts Liz Cheney from leadership role was originally published on wbt.com
