Former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney Accuses House Speaker Mike Johnson of Undermining Democracy
Former Republican Representative Liz Cheney has raised concerns about newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, accusing him of being “dangerous” for the country due to his support for former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, despite knowing the claims were false.
Speaking on the “Politics is Everything” podcast hosted by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, Cheney expressed her worries about the behavior of politicians like Johnson. She emphasized the danger posed by elected Republicans who, despite knowing the truth, choose to participate in efforts to undermine the integrity of the nation, such as Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the election.
Cheney criticized Johnson for taking actions that he knew were wrong when he attempted to persuade fellow House Republicans to sign an amicus brief supporting one of Trump’s lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results. She predicted that the country would eventually judge Johnson’s character based on his actions.
Mike Johnson assumed the role of House Speaker on October 25, following the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, who was ousted with the support of eight Republicans and every Democrat. Johnson’s election came after a period of turmoil within the GOP, during which various party leaders vied for the top House leadership position.
Despite being a member of House GOP leadership, Johnson garnered support from both conservative and moderate factions of the party. Cheney, who previously served as the chair of the GOP conference but was removed from her position due to her anti-Trump stance, highlighted her past working relationship with Johnson.
Cheney and Johnson had worked together during their time in the House. Cheney, elected in 2016 as Wyoming’s sole House representative, lost the GOP primary in 2022 to Rep. Harriet Hageman. Her support within the GOP waned after she joined the House January 6 committee, which investigated Trump’s alleged role in inciting the rioters who stormed the Capitol in early 2021.
As for Johnson, his office has not responded to inquiries regarding Cheney’s remarks from Fox News Digital.