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.
Now Rep. Chip Roy is attacking Cheney for her support of Dr. Fauci, per source in the room.
— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) July 21, 2020
He lamented that his liberal primary opponent retweeted Cheney’s tweet about Fauci.
Cheney reportedly defended Fauci again in the meeting and told Gaetz that she looks forward to his HBO documentary.
Cheney did not back down from confrontation:
— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) July 21, 2020
She defended Fauci.
She told Gaetz I look forward to seeing ur HBO doc.
She told Massie his issue is w/ Trump, not her.
She told Jordan I look forward to hearing ur comments about being a team player when we’re back in the majority
After the meeting, Gaetz took the feud public, writing on Twitter, “Liz Cheney has worked behind the scenes (and now in public) against [Donald Trump] and his agenda.”
Gaetz added, “House Republicans deserve better as our Conference Chair. Liz Cheney should step down or be removed.”
Liz Cheney has worked behind the scenes (and now in public) against @realDonaldTrump and his agenda.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) July 21, 2020
House Republicans deserve better as our Conference Chair.
Liz Cheney should step down or be removed. #MAGA
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 [Cheney] advocates for.”
We already have one Mitt Romney, we don’t need another… we also don’t need the endless wars she advocates for. https://t.co/RDkJDA9UOZ
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 21, 2020
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.”
We should all join @realDonaldTrump 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. https://t.co/yCS93P3zos
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 21, 2020
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.”
Dr. Fauci is one of the finest public servants we have ever had. He is not a partisan. His only interest is saving lives. We need his expertise and his judgment to defeat this virus. All Americans should be thanking him. Every day.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) May 13, 2020
She was also among the Republicans who demanded answers on reports that the Russians were putting bounties on the heads of U.S. soldiers.
