Staff Reports
Former representative Liz Cheney has taken aim at newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, calling him “dangerous” for supporting former President Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud in 2020. Cheney and Johnson were once colleagues and Cheney expressed her disappointment in Johnson’s actions during the aftermath of the 2020 election. According to Cheney, Johnson persuaded fellow members of the conference to sign on to an amicus brief, even though he knew it was wrong. Cheney believes that Johnson put his own political gain and desire for praise from Trump above the Constitution and the rule of law. She expressed concern over his election as Speaker of the House, stating that it is dangerous to have elected Republicans who know the truth but still go along with efforts to undermine the republic.
As The Hill reported, Johnson led an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit that sought to overturn election results in several states. He also voted to object to the election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania following the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Former President Trump praised Johnson for his election as Speaker after a period of Republican turmoil in the aftermath of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s removal from the leadership role. Johnson has responded to criticism of his Christian faith, stating that it doesn’t bother him and he wishes people would get to know him better. He clarified that he is not trying to establish Christianity as the national religion, but rather seeks to follow the teachings of the Bible, which emphasize peace and love for all people.
In the eyes of Liz Cheney, Mike Johnson’s actions during the 2020 election and his continued support for Donald Trump’s claims of election fraud make him a dangerous figure. Cheney believes that elected Republicans like Johnson, who go along with efforts to undermine the republic, pose a threat to the nation. On the other hand, Johnson defends his actions and stands by his Christian faith, expressing a desire for others to truly understand who he is. As the battle between different factions within the Republican Party continues, the political landscape remains fraught with controversy and division.
