Top House Republican Backs Cheney’s Ouster Over Anti-Trump Comments

Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) participates in a news conference in Washington on March 9, 2021. Erin Scott/Reuters

The number 2 Republican in the House of Representatives is calling for the replacement of Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) in the House GOP leadership team over her continued negative remarks about former President Donald Trump.

“House Republicans need to be solely focused on taking back the House in 2022 and fighting against Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi and President [Joe] Biden’s radical socialist agenda, and Elise Stefanik is strongly committed to doing that, which is why Whip Scalise has pledged to support her for Conference Chair,” Lauren Fine, a spokesperson for House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), told The Epoch Times via email on Wednesday.

The statement is the first definitive one backing Cheney’s ouster, though leaders have edged that way in recent days.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said on Tuesday that Republicans had concerns about Cheney’s ability “to carry out the job as conference chair, to carry out the message.”

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) speaks during a press conference following a House Republican caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 20, 2021. Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

Many House Republicans felt Cheney undermined the party by voting earlier this year to impeach Trump. Since then, she has continued trading barbs with the former president, even going so far as to say he should not run for president again in 2024.

Trump remains the most popular Republican, according to surveys, and retains strong support among the House GOP.

Trump on Wednesday endorsed Stefanik for the House leadership role, calling her “a far superior choice.”

Spokespersons for Cheney and Stefanik did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Stefanik (R-N.Y.), 36, is in her third term. Elevating her to replace Cheney, 54, would enable the House GOP to keep a woman in its leadership group while immediately getting younger.

A previous vote on whether Cheney would retain her post ended up with a majority supporting her.

“We really did have a terrific vote tonight, a terrific time this evening laying out what we’re going to do going forward as well as making clear that we’re not going to be divided and that we’re not going to be in a situation where people can pick off any member of leadership,” Cheney said after the vote, which took place in February behind closed doors.

Scalise’s new position will likely set up a new vote in the near future.

Corey Lewandowski, a former senior adviser to Trump, called early Wednesday to replace Cheney with Stefanik, describing her on social media as “one of [the] best communicators” with “strong support from MAGA voters” and an “off the charts fundraiser.”