Liz Cheney scorches House GOP leaders for making themselves 'willing hostages' to Trump

If you pull back a bit, things seem "pretty normal" in Washington, D.C., Politico's Playbook team writes Wednesday. Bipartisan support for infrastructure, "pretty typical" internal Democratic wrangling over social investments, and "even Tuesday's results in the off-year election in Virginia, which sent a message to the new president about overreach, were perfectly in line with recent history." But two stories Tuesday, Politico wrote, were a reminder that "outside of the (relatively) routine sausage-making on Capitol Hill, some enormously worrisome undercurrents remain in American politics."
One of the stories involved House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) publicly asking House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to condemn Rep. Paul Gosar's (R-Ariz.) "horrific video" in which his anime avatar murders Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). The other was Rep. Liz Cheney's (R-Wyo.) dire warning about former President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders during a speech in New Hampshire.
"At this moment, when it matters most, we are also confronting a domestic threat that we've never faced before: a former president who's attempting to unravel the foundations of our constitutional republic, aided by political leaders who have made themselves willing hostages to this dangerous and irrational man," Cheney said. She described how Trump, invited by House GOP leaders to a fundraising dinner Monday night, once more whitewashed and justified the Jan. 6 riot by "a violent mob" trying to "overturn the will of the American people."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Political leaders who sit silent in the face of these false and dangerous claims are aiding a former president who is at war with the rule of law and the Constitution," Cheney said. She said she disagrees with every major decision President Biden has made in office and loves the Republican Party, but "I know this country needs a Republican Party that is based on truth" and "willing to reject the former president's lies."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
July 5 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include an extrajudicial detainment camp, 'alligator Alcatraz', and tax cuts for billionaires.
-
5 explosively funny cartoons about the 4th of July
Cartoons Artists take on liberty and justice for all, a terrifying firework, and more
-
Jeff in Venice: a "triumph of tackiness"?
In the Spotlight Locals protest as Bezos uses the city as a 'private amusement park' for his wedding celebrations
-
How will Trump's megabill affect you?
Today's Big Question Republicans have passed the 'big, beautiful bill' through Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
How successful would Elon Musk's third party be?
Today's Big Question Musk has vowed to start a third party after falling out with Trump
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
How would the Trump administration denaturalize immigrant citizens?
Today's Big Question Using civil courts lowers the burden of proof
-
'Trucking is a dangerous business'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities