GOP moves to oust Liz Cheney from House leadership: 'I'm standing up for our democracy'

Representative Liz Cheney said she's ready to stand up for democracy even if it means being removed from her party's leadership position. Cheney delivered a stirring speech on the House floor, stating that she was only fulfilling her duty to America. She made it clear she wasn't making a stand against the GOP, but taking a bipartisan one for the sake of America's democracy. Cheney has been vocally critical of former President Donald Trump, especially with regards to the integrity of the elections. "We must speak the truth. Our election was not stolen. And America has not failed," said Cheney, reported CNN. "Every one of us who has sworn the oath must act to prevent the unraveling of our democracy. This is not about policy. This is not about partisanship. This is about our duty as Americans. Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar," she added.

Cheney is set to be removed as GOP conference chair by House Republicans after multiple party leaders voiced their support to remove her from the position for criticizing Trump. The Wyoming Republican said she will not go against her conscience and undermine democracy in the United States. "I will not sit back and watch in silence while others lead our party down a path that abandons the rule of law and joins the former President's crusade to undermine our democracy," said Cheney. She added that she wouldn't take the side of those encouraging Trump's lies.

The House Republican conference is expected to vote to remove Cheney from her leadership role on Wednesday. The vote comes on the back of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's comments against Cheney in recent weeks. McCarthy has already touted Representative Elise Stefanik of New York to replace Cheney as conference chairwoman. "It's not about right or wrong, it's about the focus of our conference, and focusing on pushing back on the agenda that's being pushed by the Biden administration," said Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana on Tuesday.

Cheney reiterated on the House floor that the former President had misled Americans about the lack of integrity in the Presidential elections. She added that Trump was once again claiming that the elections were stolen and inciting violence. Cheney said this was in spite of the attack on Capitol Hill on January 6. "Today we face a threat America has never seen before," said Cheney. "A former President, who provoked a violent attack on this Capitol in an effort to steal the election, has resumed his aggressive effort to convince Americans that the election was stolen from him. He risks inciting further violence."

Even as Cheney spoke on the House floor, other House Republicans, barring Ken Buck of Colorado, walked out. "I am a conservative Republican, and the most conservative of conservative principles is reverence for the rule of law," said Cheney. "The election is over. That is the rule of law. That is our constitutional process. Those who refuse to accept the rulings of our courts are at war with the Constitution," she added.

Kevin McCarthy was caught on a hot mic telling a Fox News presenter: "I've had it with her. You know, I've lost confidence," reported BBC. He urged his colleagues to back him in ousting her from party leadership. "Each day spent relitigating the past is one day less we have to seize the future," wrote McCarthy, before adding, "It's clear that we need to make a change."

Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois was one of 10 Republicans, including Cheney, who voted to impeach Trump earlier this year, in the wake of the attack on Capitol Hill. Kinzinger said the party was unnecessarily targeting leadership. "Kevin McCarthy (an employee of Donald Trump) may win tomorrow, but history won't be kind. Never has our party gone after its own leadership like this, but Kevin and Steve Scalise made history, because Trump has thin skin. I'd be embarrassed if I was them," tweeted Kinzinger.