Liz Cheney, the third highest-ranking Republican in the House, refused to apologize for voting for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump during the closed-door meeting with his Republican conference on Wednesday, according to a source in the room.
Cheney was among the 10 House Republicans who voted for the impeachment article against Trump for inciting the January 6 Capitol insurrection, which killed five people.
Cheney, a frequent critic of Trump and his rhetoric, said at the time: “There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution. I will vote for the impeachment of the President.”
The movement created fury and fractures within the party, prompting some pro-Trump lawmakers to protest against Cheney in her home state of Wyoming, calling for her to be stripped of her title of president of the Republican Party conference and a potential major challenge.
Wyoming Republican state senator Anthony Bouchard announced last month that he would challenge Cheney, who is running for re-election in 2022. Representative Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., A staunch ally of Trump, also appealed to supporters of the former president in his home state last week to vote it out.
Rising Republican leader and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney also faces the prospect of censorship from the Wyoming Republican party, according to the Associated Press.
Republican Party leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., Told reporters after the conference meeting that he defended Cheney at the meeting.
“People may have differences of opinion about what we are discussing. Liz has the right to vote for her conscience. At the end of the day, we will be united, ”he said.
The tension between those who supported the impeachment and those who are still loyal to Trump was also illustrated earlier this week when Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Released a statement defending Cheney.
“Liz Cheney is a leader with deep convictions and the courage to act on them. She is an important leader in our party and in our nation. I am grateful for her service and look forward to continuing to work with her on the crucial issues facing our nation, “said McConnell.
