Republicans in the House of Representatives have made it official: They voted behind closed doors to boot Rep Liz Cheney out of her No. 3 spot in their leadership roster.

Afterwards, however — even though she may next face a challenge to her at-large seat itself from a supporter of Donald Trump — the daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney remained unbowed and defiant.

Asked about the possibility that Trump himself could stir up a Republican opponent to prevent her reelection as the lone congressional representative from Wyoming, Cheney replied, “Bring it on.”

Although Cheney has remained a steadfast staunch conservative in her vote pattern in the House, dissatisfaction with her has been brewing for some time.

Not only was Cheney one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for his incitement of the January 6 Capitol insurrection, she has refused to go along with Trump’s “big lie,” in which he baselessly claims that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen” from him.

“I think that it is an indication of where the Republican Party is,” Cheney said of the vote against her. “And I think that the party is in a place that we’ve got to bring it back from. And we’ve got to get back to a position where we are a party that can fight for conservative principles, that can fight for substance. We cannot be dragged backward by the very dangerous lies of a former president.”

Cheney called Trump’s “big lie” a step too far.

“We cannot both embrace the big lie and embrace the Constitution. And going forward, the nation needs it. The nation needs a strong Republican Party. The nation needs a party that is based upon fundamental principles of conservatism,” she said. “And I’m committed and dedicated to ensuring that that’s how this party goes forward. And I plan to lead the fight to do that.”

But, as much as Trump may be gunning for Cheney, politically, the lawmaker is more than willing to return the favor.

“Today, we face a threat America has never seen before. A former president, who provoked a violent attack on this Capitol in an effort to steal the election, has resumed his aggressive effort to convince Americans that the election was stolen from him,” she said in remarks on the House floor. “He risks inciting further violence.”

Cheney made it clear that she “will do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office.

“We have seen the danger that he continues to provoke with his language. We have seen his lack of commitment and dedication to the Constitution,” Cheney added. “And I think it’s very important that we make sure whomever we elect is somebody who will be faithful to the Constitution.”

Content from The Bipartisan Press. All Rights Reserved.