Former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., shook up the political landscape recently by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president. This surprising move signifies a growing divide within the Republican Party regarding the influence of former President Donald Trump. Cheney’s bold statement came during a speech at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, where she emphasized the potential threats posed by Trump to the nation.
“Because of the dangers presented by Donald Trump, I not only refuse to vote for him but will actively support Kamala Harris,” Cheney declared in remarks shared on social media. She stressed the urgency of the upcoming 2024 election, especially for voters in swing states, urging people not to waste their vote on write-in candidates.
Cheney’s endorsement of Harris was met with approval from the Harris campaign, with campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon releasing a statement praising Cheney as a patriot who puts the country first. O’Malley Dillon highlighted Harris’s commitment to being a president for all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.
Cheney’s decision to support Harris is part of her ongoing opposition to Trump, which previously led to her removal from a leadership position within the Republican caucus. She has consistently warned about the dangers of a potential second Trump term, vowing to do whatever it takes to ensure his defeat in 2024.
The endorsement has sparked criticism from within the GOP, particularly from Trump allies. Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s former vice-presidential candidate, condemned Cheney’s support for Harris, stating that under a new Trump presidency, figures like Cheney would have no place in the political landscape.
Cheney joins a growing number of Republicans, including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, in endorsing Democratic candidates over Trump. Both Cheney and Kinzinger served on the January 6 commission investigating the Capitol riots, and have been vocal about their disillusionment with Trump and the current state of the Republican Party.
Cheney’s support for Harris signifies a broader trend of moderate Republicans joining forces with Democrats to counter Trump’s influence. When Cheney lost her Wyoming congressional seat to a Trump-backed opponent in 2022, it further illuminated the deep rifts within the Republican Party.
With the 2024 election looming, Cheney’s endorsement of Harris underscores the critical nature of the upcoming race, as many Republicans view it as a defining moment for both parties and the nation.