Conservatives Are Lining Up To Primary Anti-Trump Cheney In Wyoming

Posted on by Becky Noble

On Wednesday, House Republicans ousted Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) from her position as GOP Conference Chair, and now challengers in Wyoming are lining up to oust her from her Congressional seat altogether.

As many as six people have already announced they will challenge Cheney for her House seat in the 2022 midterms. A defiant Cheney told reporters on Thursday that she “obviously welcomes” anyone who wants to throw their hat in the ring against her. 

“There are millions and millions of Republicans out there who want us to be a party that stands for principles and who are very worried about the direction that the party is going and don’t want the party to be dragged backward by the former president.”

Cheney has been an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, and has also spoken out about her concern with the direction of the Republican Party as influenced by Trump.

RELATED: Gas Lines, Inflation Evoke Biden-As-Carter Memories

Trouble For Cheney Started With Impeachment

Liz Cheney’s troubles began not long after her impeachment vote against Donald Trump. In February, Cheney was censured by the Republican parties of ten Wyoming counties. Some used phrases in their announcements of a censure like “betrayed the trust” of voters, and “devalued the political influence of the state of Wyoming.”

Cheney also survived an attempt in February to remove her from the Conference chair position, with even fellow Republican Matt Gaetz of Florida traveling to Wyoming to encourage voters there to remove her from office. 

Last month at a GOP retreat in Florida, calls for her to be removed from the Conference Chair got louder as Cheney was at odds with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) over the scope of a commission that is investigating the events at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

She also said that anyone who challenged the 2020 election results should be disqualified from being the 2024 GOP nominee – a clear shot at Trump.

RELATED: CDC Director Quickly Goes From ‘Impending Doom’ To ‘No Masks’, Prompting Questions About Timing  

Who Are Cheney’s Challengers?

State Senator, gun rights activist, and Cheyenne-area business owner Anthony Bouchard was the first to announce he intended to challenge Cheney.

Another Wyoming legislator, a conservative radio host whose family owns Casper-area radio stations, State Rep. Chuck Gray has also announced he is running. 

Retired Army Colonel Denton Knapp, who currently lives in California but grew up in Wyoming and plans to move back, has thrown his hat in the ring. He said what prompted him was, “What’s missing right now is trust in our elected officials. Wyomingites expected Cheney to vote a certain way and she didn’t. As a result, she’s going through consequences.”

Also in the running is Marissa Joy Selvig, former mayor of Pavillion, a small town of 200. Selvig said, “I’ve never been a Cheney fan.” She added, “She has been working more for herself and for the Republican Party than she has the citizens of Wyoming. That’s what I see.”

Businessman Darin Smith is the most recent challenger to announce his candidacy. He announced his intention to run last week.

RELATED: 3,309 New Earmarks Proposed by 324 Members Of Congress Cost Taxpayers $10 Billion

Could Be An Uphill Battle For Cheney Opponents

Liz Cheney has a formidable track record when it comes to campaigning. She has beaten both Democrat and Republican opponents in the Cowboy state, and enjoys all the benefits of incumbency.

In the first quarter of this year, she raked in $1.5 million, her best fundraising quarter yet. Being the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, she enjoys universal name recognition and family legacy advantages, too.

Prior to being in the House, Cheney ran an ill-fated Senate campaign against then Senator Mike Enzi, but dropped out after only six months. Accusations of being a “carpet-bagger” dogged Cheney and claims that she had not spent much time in Wyoming until moving to affluent Jackson Hole in 2012.

Liz Cheney is free to do what she believes is right, but she might want to get home to see if the people in Wyoming agree with her.

 

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Liz Cheney Floats Conspiracy Theory That Trump Will ‘Unravel The Democracy To Come Back Into Power’

Posted on by Becky Noble

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) has created a new position for herself, along with a new conspiracy theory about Donald Trump.

Cheney, who was voted out of her leadership position as GOP Conference Chair by a voice vote meeting on Wednesday, told NBC News about her new leadership role: “I intend to be the leader, one of the leaders, in a fight to help to restore our party.”

She added a new wrinkle in the form a conspiracy theory, saying that former President Donald Trump is willing “to unravel the democracy to come back into power.”

Cheney has criticized Trump continually the last few months, saying she believes that the continuing influence Trump has within the GOP is “very dangerous” and “a cult of personality.”

RELATED: Trump Celebrates After ‘Bitter Horrible Human Being’ Liz Cheney Is Ousted

Cheney Too Divisive For Leadership Role

Cheney’s ouster from GOP leadership stems from her constant attacks on the popular Trump. During her interview with NBC, Cheney said that, “silence is not an option.” She continued,

“For reasons that I don’t understand, leaders in my party have decided to embrace the former President who launched that attack. And I think you’ve watched over the course of the last several months, the former President get more aggressive, more vocal, pushing the lie, and I think that’s a really important thing for people to understand. This isn’t about looking backwards. This is about the real-time current potential damage that he’s doing, that he continues to do.”

Cheney also added, “He’s unfit. He never again can be anywhere close to the Oval Office.”

Cheney also had words for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, saying that she believes that he is “not leading with principle, and I think that is sad and I think it’s dangerous.”

Trump support aside, the main focus inside the GOP right now are the 2022 midterm elections, and winning back the House and Senate.

Republicans clearly felt that Cheney attacking the most popular Republican, Trump, was becoming a distraction to that goal.

That point was somewhat reiterated by Chairman of the Republican Study Committee Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN). “We are unified behind a single mission of winning back the majority and it was clear from the way that the vote occurred that 99% of our members are focused on that, so it’s time to move on.”

RELATED: Stacey Abrams Claims Trump Is ‘Symptom’ Of GOP’s ‘Disease’ Of Removing Inconvenient Voters

Cheney Is Not Alone In Her Opposition To Trump

Liz Cheney is not alone in her belief that Donald Trump is the death knell for the Republican Party.

A recent report from Reuters says that more than 100 former Republican officials are threatening to start a third party if the GOP does not see the error of its ways and break ties with Trump.

The group, “A Call for American Renewal,” is made up of former Bush White House Officials, Members of Congress, and others known for their never-Trumper stances.

Cheney is also not the only House member who voted to impeach Trump that will have a primary challenge in 2022. Of the ten members that voted to impeach, five have have challengers. 

However, others who have criticized Trump in the past were silent on the removal of Cheney. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had no comment for reporters when asked about Cheney, and did not say anything on the Senate floor Wednesday morning.

Utah Senator Mitt Romney, also a fierce critic of Trump tweeted Wednesday morning, “Expelling Liz Cheney from leadership won’t gain the GOP one additional voter, but it will cost us quite a few.”

RELATED: Senator Mike Lee: Gas Prices, Inflation Due To ‘Excessive Government Spending’

What’s Next For Liz Cheney?

Even with two challengers for her seat next year, Cheney says she fully intends to run for re-election in 2022. She also told NBC News that a presidential run of her own was not out of the question. 

Until then, she says she is, “very focused on making sure that our party becomes again, a party that stands for truth, and stands for fundamental principles that are conservative. And mostly stands for the Constitution and I won’t let the former President or anybody else unravel the democracy. Whatever it takes.” 

But is Liz Cheney missing the direction the Republican Party is taking, based on what the voters said they wanted by voting for Donald Trump and continuing to support him? It is certainly making her the media’s new best friend.

Have the folks in Wyoming and the rest of the nation said loudly enough that they are tired of the go-along-to-get-along attitude of old school Republicans who are viewed as caving in to Democrats, and are looking for people with new blood and a fire in the belly? 

Liz Cheney may have won the battle by being the one currently in office, but Donald Trump may win the war.

 

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Trump And GOP Leadership Endorse Replacement For Liz Cheney

Posted on by Becky Noble

Anti-Trump Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) could face a vote on whether or not she will lose her leadership role in the House as GOP Conference Chair as early as next week.

It’s becoming clear that Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) will be the primary challenger to Cheney for the Conference Chair position.

Stefanik has been calling House GOP members in order to drum up support, and she’s gotten support from the biggest name around.

On Wednesday, Trump officially endorsed Stefanik to replace Cheney as the GOP Conference Chair. 

RELATED: Nancy Pelosi Gives ‘Lynne Cheney’ Praise For ‘Her Courage And Patriotism’

Cheney’s Clash With Republicans

Liz Cheney has been at odds with many of her fellow Republicans since she voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Cheney promptly blamed Trump for the violence, and has stated on a number of occasions that the GOP needs to distance themselves from Trump after Trump continued to claim that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent. 

In February, Cheney avoided being removed as Conference Chair position, but was censured by several Republican committees in Wyoming.

She has continued to be outspoken about her opposition to Trump having any sway in the Republican Party.

The dust ups between Cheney and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also began in February.

When asked at a news conference about whether Trump should speak at the annual CPAC conference that was being held the following weekend, McCarthy said, “Yes, he should.”

When the question was posed to Cheney, she stated, “That’s up to CPAC. I’ve been clear on my views about President Trump. I don’t believe that he should be playing a role in the future of the party or the country.”  

RELATED: Trump Posts First Video On His Own Communications Platform, Launched After Twitter and Facebook Bans

Cheney’s Views On Trump Could Pave The Way For Stefanik

Liz Cheney’s steadfast opinion that the GOP should have nothing to do with Trump could pave the way for the new school of Republicans. 

But as GOP leaders attempt to unite the party in advance of the 2022 midterms, many are describing Cheney and her comments about Trump to be a “liability.”

House Leader McCarthy was caught on a hot mic Tuesday making the comment that, “I think she’s got real problems. I’ve had it with … I’ve had it with her. You know, I’ve lost confidence.” 

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) is also supporting replacing Cheney with Stefanik. A spokesperson for Scalise stated:

“House Republicans need to be solely focused on taking back the House in 2022 and fighting against Speaker Pelosi and President Biden’s radical socialist agenda, and Elise Stefanik is strongly committed to doing that, which is why Whip Scalise has pledged to support her for Conference Chair.”

Stefanik is a fourth term Congresswoman, representing upstate New York’s 21st district.

RELATED: Trump On 2024: Supporters Will Be ‘Very Happy’ When I Make Announcement

Cheney Getting Support… From Nancy Pelosi

Not everyone is on board with Liz Cheney’s removal from the Conference Chair position.

Utah Senator Mitt Romney came out in support of Cheney on Monday. Romney lauded Cheney as “a person of conscience,” and that “she refuses to lie,” referring to the Capitol riot.

Romney continued, “As one of my Republican Senate colleagues said to me following my impeachment vote: ‘I wouldn’t want to be a member of a group that punished someone for following their conscience.”

But Romney may not be the support Cheney could use. Romney was roundly booed at the Utah GOP convention over the weekend. The convention was attended by more than 2,000 Republican delegates. 

Cheney also received strong support from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

While calling her by the wrong name, Pelosi commended Cheney’s “courage” and “patriotism.”

The Republican Party needs to decide one way or the other if Donald Trump has a future with the party. They will find out in 2022 if they made the right decision.

 

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GOP Divide Shows No Sign Of Letting Up As McCarthy Rips Cheney For Attacking Trump

Posted on by Becky Noble

The divide between the two wings of the Republican Party was as evident as ever at a party policy retreat held in Florida.

As House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy emphasizes the need for the GOP to be united, the division between McCarthy himself and GOP Chair Rep. Liz Cheney will not be an incentive for others with differing visions of the future of the party to come together for 2022.

According to a report from Politico, while former President Trump was not at the policy retreat, his presence was very much felt in the rift between the anti-Trump Cheney and McCarthy’s calls for unity.

RELATED: Schumer: Even With Manchin Opposing, ‘Reconciliation Is On The Table’ For Infrastructure Bill 

McCarthy’s Frustration Comes Through

In an interview with Politico, McCarthy was asked about bringing the party together while Cheney – the third-ranking Republican in the House – continues to attack an extremely popular Trump.

McCarthy said, “There’s a responsibility, if you’re gonna be in leadership, leaders eat last, and when leaders try to go out, and not work as one team, it creates difficulties.”

In a telling exchange, McCarthy said that he had spoken to Cheney about playing down some of her comments. When he was asked if he thought she had taken the advice is answer was, “You be the judge.”

That wasn’t all. At a later press conference, McCarthy demurred when asked if Cheney was fit to lead the GOP. 

GOP Rift Is Nothing New

The ink on the Articles of Impeachment were barely dry when Liz Cheney began to lay blame for the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol building on Donald Trump.

In a tweet on Jan. 6 following the violence at the Capitol, Cheney said, “There is no question that the President formed the mob, the President incited the mob. He lit the flame.”

Other GOP members of Congress also joined in on pinning the blame on Trump.

Over in the Senate, the same occurred. Those that many Trump supporters view as “RINOs” (Republican in name only) were also quick to blame Trump. Then Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) immediately following the violence in Washington D.C. stated that, 

“The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the President and other powerful people. And they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the Federal Government which they did not like. But we pressed on,”

RELATED: Republicans Pressure John Kerry To Resign After NYT Leaked Iran Audio – What We Know So Far

GOP Facing Classic Clash Of Establishment Vs. Young Guns

What is happening within the Republican Party may be nothing more than a simple case of the Establishment Old Guard clashing with relatively younger, more often newly-elected young guns of the party.

These latter are tired of the establishment status quo and are not afraid to take on the Democrats. 

The young guns are equally not afraid to take on members of their own party. On Monday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said that not inviting Trump to the retreat was “stupid.”

Greene argued, “Remember when Republicans lost the House in 2018 because a bunch of them distanced themselves from President Trump? Not inviting President Trump to the GOP retreat is the same stupid behavior. Funny how they don’t understand a record # of votes and support of any R President.”

Greene is among a handful of Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), who are not afraid to call out the senior members of the GOP.

Based on every known measure, Cheney is in the wrong as it regards Trump’s standing among GOP voters.

A February CNBC poll showed that 74% of Republicans want Donald Trump to stay politically active in some way, and 48% want him to remain the perceived head of the Republican Party. 

The Democrats have problems of their own in managing the AOC wing of their party, but a sizable GOP rift could bring them together quick.

The bottom line for Republicans is that Trump or no Trump, 2022 is fast approaching. 

 

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McConnell Vs. Trump! Warring Wings Of GOP May Face Off In Alaska Senate Race

Posted on by Becky Noble

The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) announced on Friday that it will support Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in her re-election campaign.

The group is aligned with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who has said that he will “Absolutely” support Murkowski’s re-election bid.

Murkowski, often described as a moderate Republican, voted to convict former President Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial in January.

After her vote, the Alaska Republican Party voted to censure Murkowski for her conviction vote.

They also said that they would recruit a Republican challenger – which could set up a head-to-head matchup between the establishment wing of the GOP and Trumpworld.

RELATED: Republicans Release Video Of Migrants Caught Crossing The Border Right Behind Them

Race Will Be Portrayed As Experience Vs. Outsider

The 2022 midterm elections may come down to a simple matter of who decides the future direction of the Republican Party.

The McConnell-backed SLF had a war chest last election cycle of $475 million will now throw it’s weight behind not just Murkowski, but could also back a number of establishment incumbents like her.

SLF President Steven Law said, “Alaska needs the kind of experienced representation that Lisa Murkowski provides in the United States Senate. Whether fighting for Alaskan interests like expanding energy production and protecting fisheries, or advancing conservative priorities by confirming judges and cutting taxes, her strong leadership is vitally important to Alaska’s future.” 

In response to the SLF statement, Mary Ann Pruitt, advisor to Kelly Tshibaka – who is running against Murkowski in the GOP primary – released a statement saying, “It’s just like D.C. insiders to ignore the voices of Alaska voters to protect one of their own.”

Kelly Tshibaka is positioning herself as an outsider, saying in a video of her intent to run that Murkowski was “so out of touch” for voting to convict Trump after he had already left office.

Prior to her current run for Senate, Tshibaka has worked in the office of inspector general for the U.S. Postal service, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Justice.

She resigned her position in Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s administration to concentrate on her run for the Senate. 

RELATED: Kathy Barnette Is Fighting To Become The First Black Female Republican U.S. Senator

Republicans Picking Sides

Within the Republican Party, it is starting to look like a matter of picking sides. That began to be apparent during the waning days of the Trump administration.

A new breed of Trump-supporting, outspoken Republican Congress members like Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert came along.

Opposite that Trump wing stand establishment Republicans like Rep. Liz Cheney and McConnell.

From almost right after his second impeachment trial, Trump has had an eye on supporting any primary challenger of several members of Congress who had voted to impeach him.

It was thought that, should any of those Congress members received a primary challenge, Trump supporters would be fired up enough to support the challengers as well. 

Cheney garnered a primary challenge almost immediately following her impeachment vote. Several others have as well. Nearly every Republican Senator who had voted to convict Trump was censured by their local party. 

RELATED: Report: Biden Creating Commission To Study Court-Packing

Establishment GOP Should Know Trump Is Ready And Waiting For 2022

Donald Trump is already in position to endorse candidates and be a major player in the 2022 midterm election.

His new Save America PAC has, in the words of those in the know, ‘gargantuan’ amounts of cash. 

He has already began endorsing candidates, including Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), John Kennedy (R-LA), Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R), and former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in her run for Governor of Arkansas.

Trump most recently endorsed Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks in his bid for the Senate, and America First Senator Rand Paul.

No word yet if Trump will be traveling to Alaska to give out an endorsement to Kelly Tshibaka. However, both wings of the party seem to be flush with cash, and 2022 could prove to be an interesting year.

 

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White House Considering Taxing You For Every Mile You Drive

Posted on by Becky Noble

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Friday that, among the avenues on the table being considered to help pay for a massive infrastructure proposal, is the possibility of vehicle mileage tax.

Since the passage of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, there has been talk of a multi-trillion spending plan for infrastructure. 

Buttigieg said, “When you think about infrastructure, it’s a classic example of the kind of investment that has a return on that investment. That’s one of many reasons why we think this is so important. This is a jobs vision as much as it is an infrastructure vision, a climate vision and more.”

One of the ways to pay for it could be to tax drivers for every mile they drive. 

“A so-called vehicle-miles-traveled tax or mileage tax, whatever you want to call it, could be a way to do it,” Buttigieg said.

“I’m hearing a lot of appetite to make sure that there are sustainable funding streams.” 

Biden will travel to Pittsburgh next week to lay out what is expected to be a $3 to $4 trillion proposal. He stated during his first press conference on Thursday that infrastructure, “both physical and technological,” would be his next major initiative. 

RELATED: Congressional Democrats Have No Business Dictating State Tax Policy

Biden’s Infrastructure Plan

Biden’s infrastructure plan could include, according to Business Insider:

  • Clean energy deployment and the development of 5G
  • Rural broadband
  • One million “affordable and energy-efficient” housing units
  • $1 trillion in spending on roads, bridges, electric vehicles, rail lines, and improvements to the grid.

RELATED: When It Comes To Election ‘Reforms,’ The Left Are The Ones Busting Norms

Build America Bonds?

Another possible funding source Buttigieg and the President might be looking at is an Obama-era idea called Build America Bonds.

Per CNBC, these are a special class of municipal bonds where the interest costs are subsidized by the U.S. Treasury. 

The federal government used these in the 2008 bailout era, and phased them out in 2010.

Buttigieg also mentioned the idea of a national infrastructure bank.

RELATED: Mitt Romney Is Awarded JFK ‘Profile In Courage Award’ For Impeachment Vote

Mileage Tax Pros And Cons

When it comes to pros and cons, there are a few of each.

For some, this type of use-tax is more fair. After all, those who use a resource most should pay more for it, right?

A mileage tax would also bring electric vehicle drivers into the mix, since those vehicles do not pay into the highway trust fund.

On the con side, many Americans don’t want the government to track a driver’s whereabouts and movements. 

There’s also questions of fairness. Should people be punished if they live further away from their work? 

And even for those on the right who prefer use-taxes (as opposed to general levies, which are paid even if an individual doesn’t partake in the associated services), the question may be one of federalism. 

One could prefer a state-based use tax – after all, then the funds go to the roads in their state. But is there any guarantee the federal government will use the revenue fairly, or will some areas receive more benefits and others are left high and dry?

Another maybe not so readily seen consequence, COVID-19 has proven to a lot of employers that their employees can work from home. At a time when Americans are getting vaccinated and feel safe to leave their homes to physically go to a job, school, etc., a mileage tax might have many people rethinking work-from-home as an alternative to paying to drive.

This can also be a pro argument for environmental advocates. Generally, if you want less of something, you tax it. If you tax travel, you will get less of it. That means less vehicle exhaust. 

In his comments to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Buttigieg said, “There is near-universal recognition that a broader recovery will require a national commitment to fix and transform America’s infrastructure.” 

What do you think?

POLL: Which would you prefer - a Mileage Tax, or the current Gas Tax?

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John Dean of Nixon/Watergate Fame Predicts Trump Will Be Indicted Soon

Posted on by Becky Noble

Former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean said on Thursday that he believes it is only a matter of days until former President Donald Trump is indicted. The name John Dean might sound familiar, he served as White House Counsel to Richard Nixon during the Watergate years.

Dean’s prediction comes from recent events surrounding former Trump attorney Michael Cohen.

In a report from The Hill, Cohen has allegedly met with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office on seven different occasions, apparently pertaining to a criminal investigation into Trump’s taxes.

Cohen, is serving a three-year home confinement for tax fraud, bank fraud, and lying to Congress about payoffs to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who allegedly had sexual encounters with Trump.

Dean opined:

“I assure you that you do not visit a prosecutor’s office 7 times if they are not planning to indict those about whom you have knowledge. It is only a matter of how many days until DA Vance indicts Donald & Co.”

Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr. (D), is currently conducting a wide-ranging investigation into Trump’s family business and finances.

RELATED: Violent Extremists Attack Federal Courthouse In Portland

What Is The Manhattan D.A Looking For?

Back in February, the Supreme Court ruled to allow the release of Trump’s tax returns. Trump has consistently said that at some point he would release his returns, but has yet to do so.

While the Court has allowed the release of the returns, they will not be made public, intentionally. The ruling simply allows them to be used in grand jury proceedings, which are to remain confidential.

However, former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman said that if Vance charges Trump, he is “98 percent sure (Trump’s tax information) will become public knowledge.”

Besides looking at Trump’s tax returns for the years 2011-2018, there are several aspects of Trump’s finances and business dealings that Vance is looking into.

According to The Hill, one of those things is Trump’s Seven Springs estate in New York. Vance’s office is trying to find out if the value of the property was inflated in order to reap greater benefits from financial institutions. 

The Hill report goes on to say that some of the other things being investigated that are related to Trump’s finances are reports of very low federal income tax payments and hundreds of millions of dollars of loans that are coming due for repayment.

RELATED: NY Assembly Takes First Step Toward Impeachment Of Cuomo, Police Report Filed Over Groping Allegations

Damaging Trump Politically

The speculation is also on whether any indictment would harm Trump’s political future, and if so, how much?

Trump’s political opponents say that any damage may be done among more moderate supporters instead of staunch Trump supporters.

Democrat Strategist Jamal Simmons told The Hill he believes the base of his supporters “won’t care.”

He added, “But for everyone else — for that khakis-and-blue-shirt-wearing office worker in the middle of Ohio who is just trying to keep his taxes low, for that average Republican voter out there — I can’t imagine, given other alternatives, they would choose Donald Trump again if he was facing legal jeopardy.”

Simmons may be engaged in some wishful thinking. Susan Del Percio, a Republican strategist, but also a sometime critic of Trump, stated, “Is his goose cooked on this? It depends on what’s in there.”

RELATED: Pelosi: ‘Of Course’ There Could Be A Scenario Where We Overturn State-Certified Election of GOP Rep.

They Are Not Stopping With Donald Trump

Indictment and conviction of just Donald Trump are not enough.

Not only will Democrats keep coming after Trump for alleged crimes, they are also eyeing his family as well.

In February, Donald Trump Jr. was deposed by District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine as part of a lawsuit brought by the district over the misuse of funds by Trump’s inaugural committee.

Former First Daughter Ivanka Trump was also deposed in relation to the same inauguration fraud allegations.

In October 2020, Eric Trump, who runs the day-to-day operations of the Trump Organization, was deposed as part of the New York Attorney General’s investigation into whether the Trump Organization improperly inflated the value of its assets.

Trump has called the extensive investigation “a continuation of the greatest political Witch Hunt in the history of our Country.” 

 

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Trump Sends Warning To GOP – He Will Not Endorse ‘RINOS,’ Sends ‘Cease And Desist’ Order

Posted on by Becky Noble

On Monday, President Trump’s leadership political action committee, Save America PAC, sent out a notice warning the Republican Party that neither he nor his PAC will endorse ‘RINOs,’ or ‘Republicans In Name Only.’

The former President has been busy since leaving office.

Also on Monday, legal counsel for Trump sent cease-and-desist letters to the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the National Republican Congressional Committee that orders them to stop using Trump’s name for their fundraising activities.

In the RINOs statement, Trump declared, “No more money for RINOS period. They do nothing but hurt the Republican Party and our great voting base – they will never lead us to Greatness. Send your donation to Save America PAC at DonaldJTrump.com. We will bring it all back stronger than ever before.”

RELATED: Biden DHS Secretary Reportedly Asks For Help With Border Crisis He Said Doesn’t Exist

GOP Pushing Back

In a report from Politico, the RNC is apparently refusing any such cease-and-desist order, and RNC Chief Counsel Justin Reimer stated that the committee “has every right to refer to public figures as it engages in core, First-Amendment protected political speech, and it will continue to do so in pursuit of these common goals.”

Essentially they claim that they are allowed to use Trump’s likeness and name because he is a public figure. 

While none of the committees who received cease-and-desist letters commented, some who work closely on GOP campaigns say that it is “impossible not to use Trump’s name because his policies are popular with the base.” 

Knowing that ‘RINOs’ will likely use Trump’s policies as mere campaign rhetoric, while governing as establishment Republicans, could be Trump’s impetus for his statements.

RELATED: Candace Owens Thanks NYT’s ‘Bigotry’ For Hispanics ‘Fleeing The Democratic Party’

Trump Already Endorsing Candidates

Republicans surely know that the one endorsement GOP candidates will want is that of Donald Trump.

He has already begun endorsing candidates for 2022 such as South Carolina Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), and Sen. John Boozman (R-AR).

He has also given an early endorsement to former White House Press Secretary  Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has announced a run for Governor in Arkansas, and the re-election of Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas.

But he’s not just bringing endorsements.

Trump stated on Saturday that he would be campaigning against Sen. Lisa Murkowski, one of seven Republican Senators who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.

She is the only one of the seven that is up for re-election in 2022.

Murkowski had some harsh statements for Trump immediately following the Capitol riot:

“On the day of the riots, President Trump’s words incited violence, which led to the injury and deaths of Americans — including a Capitol Police officer — the desecration of the Capitol, and briefly interfered with the government’s ability to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.”

“Such unlawful actions cannot go without consequence and the House has responded swiftly, and I believe, appropriately, with impeachment.”

Trump fired back in the way his supporters expect:

“I will not be endorsing, under any circumstances, the failed candidate from the great State of Alaska, Lisa Murkowski. She represents her state badly and her country even worse. I do not know where other people will be next year, but I know where I will be — in Alaska campaigning against a disloyal and very bad Senator.”

Trump also went on to criticize Murkowski’s vote to confirm President Joe Biden’s pick for Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.

“Her vote to advance radical left Democrat Deb Haaland for Secretary of the Interior is yet another example of Murkowski not standing up for Alaska.”

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2022 Could Be Interesting Time For GOP

The next election cycle could be a tricky one for Republicans. Currently, there are only five seats separating them from taking back control of the House.

But in the Senate, there are several who have decided against running for re-election, and Democrats are most certainly eying those seats. 

Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) have already announced they will not be seeking re-election. Toomey had voted for convict Trump.

On Monday, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) also announced he would not seek another term. Blunt holds several Republican leadership positions and is a close ally of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

In addition, Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Richard Shelby (R-AL) are also retiring. This could give the United States Senate a very different look after 2022.

Trump and his PAC would most likely be involved in endorsing candidates for those seats. 

More Trump-endorsed Senators may be at odds with more moderate Republicans like Sens. Mitt Romney and Susan Collins.

It is an illustration that for many long-time GOP Senators, the Republican Party may no longer be their domain.

 

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Trump Plans New Super PAC, Setting His Sights On 2022 Elections

Posted on by Becky Noble

Former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is planning to form a super PAC as part of his post-presidential footprint into Republican Party politics.

Trump confidante and advisor Corey Lewandowski has been named to head up the super PAC, which is still in the planning stages as we head into CPAC weekend.

Trump political team member, senior advisor Jason Miller, said, “MAGA supporters and candidates supporting President Trump’s America First agenda are going to be impressed with the political operation being built out here. We expect formal announcements of the full team in the coming weeks, which will include some very talented operatives not yet named.”

Forming A Trump Super PAC Plan

According to a report by Politico, the meeting took place on Thursday at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida.

In addition to Lewandowski and Miller, the meeting’s attendees included former Trump Campaign Manager Bill Stepien, former deputy Campaign Manger Justin Clark, former Campaign Manager Brad Parscale, former White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino, and attorney Alex Cannon.

Donald Trump already has a leadership PAC called “Save America,” which was last reported to have roughly $31 million in the bank. While there are limits to how much a regular PAC can raise, super PACS are not limited on how much money can be raised for a particular cause.  

In the short amount of time since Donald Trump left the White House, it has become very apparent that he will play a huge role in shaping the future of the Republican Party.

This development is much to the chagrin of people like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Mitt Romney, and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), all of whom have been harsh critics of Trump.

RELATED: Mitch McConnell Says He Would Back Trump In 2024 If He Wins GOP Nomination

A Trump endorsement is likely to be coveted by many 2022 GOP candidates.

Some of these coveted endorsements could fall to the primary challengers to seven of the ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump.

Of course, Trump has already begun handing out endorsements for 2022.

So far the former President has endorsed his former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has announced a run for Governor in Arkansas, and Sen. Jerry Moran’s reelection bid in Kansas. 

RELATED: Report: Squad Extremists Aggressively Trying To Eliminate Establishment Democrats

Trump To Give Major Speech At CPAC

In his first major appearance since leaving office, Donald Trump is scheduled to give the keynote address this coming Sunday in Orlando at CPAC, the large yearly gathering of conservatives.

Many expect that Trump will lay out his political vision and plans going forward for not just 2022, but possibly 2024 as well.

According to Fox News, the former president intends to address issues such as immigration, jobs, and energy during his CPAC keynote.

It’s no surprise that Trump intends to tackle immigration after President Joe Biden hastily halted building of the wall on America’s southern border.

Jobs and energy are also on the agenda in light of Biden’s EO halting construction of the Keystone XL pipeline project which has cost people their jobs, a good many of them being union jobs.

CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp told “Fox & Friends” Thursday of Trump, “He knows it’s a very important reset for him and for the country and for half the country and so many people who are here in this ballroom.”

RELATED: Trump vs. DeSantis: 2024 Clash Of Heavyweights Starts Early 

Trump Ready To Move The Republican Party Forward

The Politico report goes on to say that Trump told his advisers that he is eager to “engage” in the outcome of the 2022 elections.

Said engagement reportedly includes plans to “exact revenge” on those that the former president feels were not loyal to him.

This could include House Republicans who voted to impeach, and possibly Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who Politico says Trump criticized for not “overturning the election.”

The new super PAC could serve as a conduit for Trump to raise funds and funnel them to his favored candidate in key 2022 races.

Trump has also recently met with Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, and former Senator David Perdue of Georgia.

However, it is not known if he intends to meet with any other possible presidential candidates who are attending CPAC including Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Tom Cotton (R-AR), former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota. 

According to a report from “Morning Consult,” 59% of GOP voters say Trump should play a “major role” in the Republican Party going forward.

To the disappointment of the GOP establishment, that might be all he needs.

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Liz Cheney Faces New Calls To Step Down After Latest Bizarre Anti-Trump Attack

Posted on by Becky Noble

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) is facing a new round of calls for her to step down as the Chair of the House Republican Caucus after her public claim that former President Trump should have no role in the future of the country.

Cheney is the third highest ranking House GOP member.

Cheney, who has been frequently outspoken about her opposition to Donald Trump, was part of a House Republican leadership briefing on Wednesday with reporters. During the briefing, Cheney and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) were both asked about Trump’s upcoming speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC.

Reporters asked if Trump should “have a prominent speaking role” at the conference. McCarthy replied matter-of-factly, “Yes he should.”

Cheney disagreed.

“That’s up to CPAC. I’ve been clear about my views of President Trump and the extent to which, following Jan. 6., I don’t believe that he should be playing a role in the future of the party or the country.”

There was an awkward few seconds as reporters laughed and McCarthy replied, “On that high note, thank you very much.”

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Not Cheney’s First Run-In With The Party She Leads

Liz Cheney’s first dust up with her fellow Republicans came back in January, after she was one of ten Republicans to vote for impeachment in the House.

At the time, Rep. Matt Rosedale (R-MT) stated that, “Rep. Cheney did not consult with the rest of our conference before supporting impeachment. She failed to abide by the spirit of the Conference rules and is ignoring the preferences of Republican voters. I’m calling on her to step down as Conference Chair.”

At the time, even House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had some concerns about Cheney’s impeachment vote.

The first effort to unseat Cheney failed. Ultimately, only 61 Republicans voted to oust her, 145 members voted against removal in a secret ballot. But that was not the end of her run-ins with other House Republicans. 

Cheney and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) have also had words.

Gaetz has accused Cheney of having an “America Last” vision for the country, and has even gone to Cheney’s home state of Wyoming to support those who want a change in who represents them in Wyoming’s only congressional seat.

At a rally in Cheyenne, Gaetz stated that, “There are basically two things that Liz Cheney has done in the United States Congress: frustrate the agenda of President Trump and sell out to the forever war machine.” 

In response to Gaetz’s campaign swing through Wyoming, Cheney fired back on Twitter.

As would be expected, Cheney has enjoyed the full support of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

RELATED: Donald Trump Jr. Deposed By DC Attorney General Probing Former President’s Inaugural Committee

Cheney’s Latest Comments

Liz Cheney’s latest comments regarding former President Trump once again have Freedom Caucus members calling for her resignation in House leadership.

Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs (R-AZ), who is a Trump supporter, said that “she should step down.”

He went on to call her comments “outrageous” and “consistent with at least four other statements she’s made in the last few weeks,” and that he does not believe “she is able to carry out” her duties as Caucus Chair “any further.”

Biggs also commented that, “I also think she is absolutely devoid of any kind of political reading of what’s going on in the party,” he added. “If she any sense of shame, she would step down.”

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) stated that Cheney has “forfeited her right to be the Chair of the Republican Caucus.”

Roy had been in agreement with Cheney that Trump “deserved universal condemnation for what was clearly impeachable conduct,” but that Cheney’s latest comments at the press briefing were “in complete opposition to where the majority of house Republicans stand” and “completely out of step with the Republican Conference.”

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Cheney Also Facing Backlash At Home

While Liz Cheney is hearing criticism in Washington from other Republicans, it is Wyoming Republicans she may want to pay attention to.

Since the first call for her resignation as Chair of the Republican Caucus, ten counties in Wyoming have voted to censure Cheney.

A partial statement from Sweetwater County states that Cheney had “betrayed the trust and failed to honor the will of the very large majority of motivated Wyoming voters who elected her.”

Cheney has already garnered a primary challenger for 2022 as well. Wyoming State Senator Anthony Bouchard announced his candidacy on January 20.

Of the ten Republicans who voted to impeach Trump, seven, including Cheney have primary challengers for 2022.

Cheney defended her impeachment vote by saying, “this is a vote of conscience. It’s one where there are different views in our conference.”

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