Former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney on Sunday encouraged anti-Trump Republicans and independents to consider voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November election, emphasizing that it’s “not enough” to merely write in someone other than former President Donald Trump. Speaking during an interview on ABC News' "This Week," Cheney expressed her belief that a significant number of Republicans are undecided, considering writing in alternative candidates.
She stressed the importance of casting a decisive vote for Vice President Harris given how competitive the race remains. Cheney, who has staunchly opposed Trump and served as vice chair of the House Jan. 6 committee, underscored that Trump poses a significant threat to the republic, citing his willingness to incite violence to retain power. Stating her unprecedented endorsement, Cheney revealed that she had never voted for a Democrat in her 40 years of voting.
However, the gravity of Trump’s threat to democratic principles compelled her to take this stand. Asked why she decided to endorse Harris, Cheney praised the vice president’s recent speech at the Democratic National Convention. She noted that the speech echoed sentiments shared by past GOP Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, emphasizing America's exceptionalism and the importance of unity to maintain the nation’s greatness, contrasting starkly with Trump’s narrative of America as a declining nation.
Cheney highlighted that Trump’s policies, such as global tariffs, contradict core conservative values by stifling global trade. Cheney discussed her decision to endorse Harris, revealing she had conversations with the vice president but declined to provide specific details. She emphasized Harris' understanding of the stakes involved in the election and the necessity of reflecting a broad coalition supporting her campaign. Cheney criticized former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley for her contradictory stance of being on “standby” to campaign for Trump, having previously deemed him unqualified for a second term.
Cheney argued that true conservatives must prioritize the Constitution over partisan politics, emphasizing the need to rebuild a genuine conservative movement post-election. Cheney’s endorsement of Harris follows her removal from House Republican leadership after denouncing Trump post-Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, also announced his support for Harris. However, Sen. Tom Cotton dismissed the endorsement's impact on the election, suggesting that ultimately the candidates' records, not endorsements, would sway voters.
Dick Cheney, in announcing his endorsement, criticized Trump’s unfounded claims of a stolen 2020 election. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum questioned the practical effect of Cheney's endorsement on undecided voters. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders applauded the Cheneys for defending democracy, despite their political differences, and acknowledged that many Republicans respect democratic foundations over supporting Trump. Sanders defended Harris, stating she has not abandoned her progressive ideals but rather adopted pragmatic positions to win the election.
