Behind-the-Scenes Revelations and Trump’s Fecklessness Unveiled
You don’t read a book like former Wyoming U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney’s tell-all looking for literary pearls. You read it to find out what was going on behind the scenes in Congress after the 2020 election, as Donald Trump’s Republican sycophants and enablers schemed with him to overturn the results of a legitimate U.S. election.
In her book “Oath and Honor,” Cheney exposes the spinelessness and treachery of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Despite forcefully blaming Trump for the January 6th insurrection, McCarthy went to Mar-a-Lago to suck up to the former president because he desperately needed money. Nearly every major corporate donor had threatened to withdraw support from Republicans who voted to object to the electoral college votes. Cheney reveals that McCarthy’s only real political skill was fundraising, so he was willing to help Trump cover up his assault on democracy in order to gain access to Trump’s extensive lists of small-dollar donors.
Surprising Moments of Integrity
As a left-leaning individual, I have no enduring affection for the Cheney family, who oppose many of the policies I support. However, I was surprised to find a brief moment of admiration while reading about a charged moment between Liz and her father, Dick Cheney. On New Year’s Day 2021, the Cheneys devised a plan to ensure a peaceful transition of power. They reached out to the nine other living former secretaries of Defense and asked them to sign a public letter urging against military involvement in election disputes. It was a powerful gesture, and as Liz Cheney prepared to return to Washington, her father looked at her and said, “Defend the republic, daughter.” She promised to do so, always.
A Heroic Stand in a Divided Party
Liz Cheney is one of the few heroic, high-profile Republicans who were willing to do the right thing after the 2020 election, even if it meant sacrificing her job and political prospects. Her book provides a candid account of the debate among her colleagues about whether to remove her from her leadership position for voting to impeach Trump. It includes priceless moments, such as Rep. Elise Stefanik’s efforts to oust Cheney due to pressure from her constituents. Cheney’s recollection of her male colleagues’ criticism of her tone and their sexist remarks highlights the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field.
Unwavering Resilience in the Face of Censure
Despite facing censure by the Republican National Committee for her participation in the House Jan. 6 committee, Cheney remains unbowed. In response, she stated, “I do not recognize those in my party who have abandoned the Constitution to embrace Donald Trump. History will be their judge.” She reflects on this moment in her book, calling the resolution a reflection of a political party that had lost its principles and seemed to be led by morons. Sadly, it still is.
