Republican Representative Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania dismissed rumors that former Representative Liz Cheney would face any retribution from the incoming Trump administration, calling the speculation “nonsense.” Meuser made these remarks in response to persistent rumors that Cheney and other former Republican officials might be targeted by President-elect Donald Trump once he takes office in January.
Throughout his campaign, Trump had expressed frustration with what he considered the deep state and political establishment, even suggesting that some of his political opponents, including Cheney, should face legal consequences. Trump had famously stated that Cheney “should go to jail” and repeatedly mentioned during rallies that he would seek to hold accountable those he deemed “corrupt.” The President-elect had also been vocal about investigating the actions of political adversaries, particularly those involved in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Despite the speculation, Meuser was quick to shoot down these rumors during his appearance on NewsMax, asserting that no one, including Cheney, would be targeted by the new administration. “This is nonsense,” Meuser said. “There’s not going to be any witch hunt or retaliation against Liz Cheney or others.”
The animosity between Trump and Cheney has only intensified since the January 6th attack, when Cheney became one of the few Republicans to speak out against Trump’s role in inciting the violence. She was also one of the two Republicans on the House Select Committee that investigated the attack. Her public stance against Trump led her to become one of his fiercest critics. Cheney, who had been a staunch conservative voice, even supported Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, urging anti-Trump Republicans to rally behind Harris as a counter to the former president.
In addition to her political shift, Cheney has been outspoken about Trump’s character, calling him a “cruel, unstable man” and accusing him of threatening democracy. Her words came after Trump made a series of inflammatory remarks, including one where he mocked her by saying “let’s put her with the rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her.” Cheney responded to Trump’s comments by calling them the rhetoric of a dictator, warning that the country could not afford to let someone like Trump lead.
The tension has only increased as Cheney continues to accuse Trump of trying to subvert the truth and evade responsibility for his actions surrounding January 6th. Most recently, Cheney criticized Trump for attempting to stall the trial by pointing to grand jury transcripts, and accusing him of being afraid of the truth.
Meanwhile, rumors have also surfaced that the Biden administration might consider issuing pardons for certain figures in the Trump opposition camp, including Cheney. However, such a move remains purely speculative, as reports suggest that Biden’s officials are still weighing their options.
In the midst of these ongoing political battles, it’s clear that Cheney’s relationship with the Republican Party and Donald Trump has irrevocably changed. While some may call for accountability, others, like Meuser, argue that these efforts are more about settling scores than upholding justice. Regardless, Cheney’s vocal opposition to Trump seems unlikely to fade anytime soon, and the GOP continues to grapple with the fallout of the Trump era.