Liz Cheney endorses Kamala Harris and warns of ‘danger’ Trump poses to Constitution
Former Republican lawmaker from Wyoming was one of Trump’s most prominent critics in Congress
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former Wyoming congressmember Liz Cheney has endorsed Kamala Harris for president, breaking with her fellow conservatives who are supporting Donald Trump.
Cheney, one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics while she was in Congress, said during an event at Duke University on Wednesday that fellow conservatives don’t have “the luxury” of sitting out or writing in other candidates if they’re uneasy about Trump, especially in a swing state like the university’s home of North Carolina.
“As a conservative, as someone who believes in and cares about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this,” she told the crowd. “Because of the danger that Donald Trump poses, not only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris.”
The announcement was met with cheers from the audience.
The Harris campaign reportedly directly courted an endorsement from Cheney, as it looks to attract support from the small pool of prominent national Republicans who publically criticize Trump.
“We talk a lot about the Nikki Haley voters who could decide this election,” Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration official turned critic told The New York Times last week. “More accurately, they are Liz Cheney voters, committed Republicans who likely supported Trump twice but can’t support him in the aftermath of Jan. 6 and his criminal convictions.”
Harris has also suggested she would name a Republican to her cabinet if elected, putting Cheney in a prime position for consideration.
The Harris-Walz campaign welcomed the endorsement.
“The Vice President is proud to have earned Congresswoman Cheney’s vote. She is a patriot who loves this country and puts our democracy and our Constitution first,” said campaign Chair Jen O’Malley.
“As she noted in her powerful remarks, this election is a choice between the fundamental threat Donald Trump poses to our democracy and a leader who will stand up for our freedoms and the rule of law in Vice President Harris. Vice President Harris will be a president for all Americans, regardless of political party.”
The former Wyoming representative, daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, became a liberal hero for being the face of the Republican resistance to Trump in Congress until she lost her seat in 2022.
Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump after the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and one of two to serve on the January 6 committee investigating the incident.
Since then, she’s continued to be a thorn in her side, describing him as an existential threat to U.S. democracy.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments