In a recent interview on CBS News Sunday Morning, Liz Cheney, the former Republican representative from Wyoming, expressed her deep concerns about the future of American democracy. Cheney warned that if Donald Trump, who is currently facing 91 felony charges, were to serve another four-year presidential term, it could potentially lead the nation into a dictatorship.
“He’s told us what he will do. It’s very easy to see the steps that he will take,” Cheney said in the interview. She further criticized those who believe that the checks and balances system would be enough to control Trump if he were elected again, stating that they “don’t fully understand the extent to which the Republicans in Congress today have been co-opted.”
Cheney also expressed her worries about the current political climate in the United States, describing it as a “sleepwalking into dictatorship.” She pointed out the role of the Republicans in Congress in this process, implying that they have been influenced or controlled to a significant extent.
"One of the things that we see…is a sort of a sleepwalking into dictatorship in the United States."
— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) December 1, 2023
Liz Cheney forewarns John Dickerson if Donald Trump is re-elected, it could mean the end of the republic & expresses concern about her party's comfort with Trump and his lies. pic.twitter.com/JBh7nKkbfP
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In the same interview, Cheney criticized newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana. Johnson was one of the biggest supporters of Trump’s attempt to claim victory in the 2020 election, which was won by Joe Biden. Johnson had even led an amicus brief backing a Texas lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the vote. Cheney described Johnson as someone who “knows … that what he’s doing and saying is wrong, but he’s willing to do it in an effort to please Donald Trump.”
Cheney’s criticisms of Johnson are not new. She had raised similar concerns about him during a podcast appearance last month.
She stated, “Mike is somebody who says that he’s committed to defending the Constitution. But that’s not what he did when we were all tested in the aftermath of the 2020 election,” adding that she believes he is “dangerous.”
Cheney’s outspoken criticism of Trump and his supporters in the GOP led to her losing her Wyoming primary last year after serving three terms in Congress. This loss is widely attributed to her decision to vote to impeach Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Despite this setback, Cheney continues to voice her concerns and stand up for her beliefs.
As a final point, Liz Cheney’s recent interview has sparked a significant conversation about the future of American democracy. Her concerns about a potential second term for Donald Trump and the role of Republicans in Congress highlight the challenges that the nation may face. Cheney’s criticism of newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson further underscores the divisions within the GOP. Despite losing her position in Congress, Cheney continues to voice her concerns and stand up for what she believes is right for the future of American democracy. This story serves as a reminder of the ongoing political tensions in the United States and the importance of checks and balances in preserving democracy.
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