Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is calling for Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) to be removed from her role as House Republican Conference chair after a fiery meeting among House Republicans on Tuesday morning.
At the meeting, a number of Republicans in the House Freedom Caucus reportedly took issue with some of Cheney’s recent moves, first fuming that the Wyoming lawmaker — who is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney — backed Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky.) primary opponent.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) also blasted Cheney for her support of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Cheney reportedly defended Fauci again in the meeting and told Gaetz that she looks forward to his HBO documentary.
After the meeting, Gaetz took the feud public, writing on Twitter, “Liz Cheney has worked behind the scenes (and now in public) against and his agenda.”
Gaetz added, “House Republicans deserve better as our Conference Chair. Liz Cheney should step down or be removed.”
The inter-party battle even caught the attention of Donald Trump Jr., who tweeted, “We already have one Mitt Romney, we don’t need another … we also don’t need the endless wars advocates for.”
And Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also attacked Cheney for her history as a war hawk, writing, “We should all join Donald Trump in advocating to stop our endless wars. Liz Cheney not only wants to stay forever, she’s leading the fight to try to stop him from leaving. Unacceptable.”
Cheney has been among a handful of Republicans who have defended Dr. Fauci in recent months. In late May, Cheney tweeted, “Dr. Fauci is one of the finest public servants we have ever had. He is not a partisan. His only interest is saving lives.”
She was also among the Republicans who demanded answers on reports that the Russians were putting bounties on the heads of U.S. soldiers.