Trump foe Liz Cheney defeated in Wyoming Republican primary

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, Donald Trump’s fiercest Republican adversary in Congress, was defeated in a Republican primary on Tuesday, falling to a rival backed by the former U.S. president in a contest that has reinforced Trump’s grip on the party’s base.

Cheney described her death as the beginning a new chapter. She told a small group of supporters that it was not over.

She said, “I will do anything necessary to ensure Donald Trump is never again near the Oval Office.” said. 

She and her supporters were downbeat about their prospects as a third-term congresswoman, but they knew that Trump’s support gave Harriet Hageman a significant lift in the state where the 2020 campaign was won by the largest margin.

Cheney already looked ahead to a future political life beyond Capitol Hill, which could include a run for the presidency in 2024.

This could put her on another collision course with Trump.

Today’s results were a powerful reminder of the Republican party’s rapid shift to the right.

An old party dominated by conservatives who were business-friendly and national security-oriented like Dick Cheney’s father, Cheney, is now ruled by Trump. Trump’s populist appeal, as well as his refusal to concede defeat in 2020, has brought down the party.

These lies, which were rejected by both federal and state election officials, Trump’s own attorney general, and the judges he appoints, made Cheney the most vocal critic of Trump and the party’s loudest warning that he poses a threat for democratic norms.

Cheney stated that “we’re facing an moment when our democracy really is under attack” Tuesday on CBS News.

“And those of us across the board — Republicans, Democrats and Independents who believe deeply in freedom and who care about the Constitution and the future of the country — have an obligation to put that above party.”

In her concession speech, the 56-year old Republican reiterated her commitment to remain active in national politics.