Cheney Accuses McCarthy of Instigating Chaos in Speaker Selection
In a recent interview, Liz Cheney, the former representative from Wyoming, pointed a finger at ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy from California for the turmoil in the House, attributing it to his promotion of individuals intent on reversing the 2020 election outcomes and his negligence regarding the events of January 6th.
Discussing the current absence of a House Speaker on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Cheney expressed her disappointment but not shock. She highlighted McCarthy’s choices since the 2020 election and post-January 6, criticizing his disregard for democracy’s defense against attacks from the former president and his House supporters, including Jim Jordan from Ohio.
Cheney criticized McCarthy for giving prominence to certain representatives, whom she identified as endorsing white supremacy and anti-Semitic views. She emphasized that these are the same individuals who sought to disrupt the 2020 electoral process and nullify its outcomes.
“The consequences are predictable when such individuals gain authority,” she remarked.
Additionally, Cheney addressed the issue of escalating threats against some Republicans amidst the ongoing Speakership turmoil. She condemned the normalization of violence in political discourse as utterly unacceptable and perilous. Several Republicans have reported receiving death threats due to their recent voting on the Speaker position.
Cheney connected these violent threats back to the former president’s baseless assertions of electoral victory in 2020.
“The deception was potent in inciting violence, and the repercussions are ongoing,” she observed. “One critical topic I anticipate will arise in the Speaker’s discussion tomorrow is the question repeatedly posed by Rep. Ken Buck from Colorado: the acknowledgment of Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election.”
Cheney’s own position within the GOP leadership was terminated in 2021 due to her vocal opposition to Trump’s unfounded allegations of election fraud. Her removal and replacement with a Trump adherent were maneuvers encouraged and facilitated by McCarthy.