Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Liz Cheney

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Liz Cheney.

Liz Cheney is an American attorney and politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023. Rising to the third-highest position in House Republican leadership, she is largely known for her conservative stance and, more recently, for her outspoken criticism of Donald Trump. This opposition led to her removal from her leadership role in the House Republican Conference. Post-congressional career, she became a professor of practice at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

April 2006: Critical Article in The New York Times

In April 2006, The New York Times published a story critical of Liz Cheney's work, particularly regarding Iran.

2009: Defense of Waterboarding

In 2009, Liz Cheney defended the use of waterboarding during the George W. Bush administration, comparing it to SERE training.

2009: Refusal to Denounce Birtherism

In 2009, Liz Cheney refused to denounce adherents of Barack Obama citizenship conspiracy theories (birtherism) on Larry King Live. In 2009, Cheney gave the keynote address at a dinner hosted by the Center for Security Policy, an anti-Muslim think tank deemed a hate group.

2010: Called a "conspiracy propagandist"

In 2010, Bud Goodall labeled Liz Cheney a "conspiracy propagandist."

2013: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage

In 2013, during her Senate bid, Liz Cheney voiced her opposition to same-sex marriage, leading to a public dispute with her sister, Mary Cheney.

2013: Cheney compared Trump to Obama on Iran

On June 21, 2019, Liz Cheney compared Trump not attacking Iran to Barack Obama not attacking Syria in 2013.

2014: Criticism of Obama and Pelosi on Torture

In 2014, Cheney criticized President Barack Obama for saying, "we tortured some folks". That same year, she also criticized Nancy Pelosi for calling out her father for his support of using torture.

2014: Family Spat and Senate Campaign End

In 2014, the media attention surrounding the family spat over Liz Cheney's stance on same-sex marriage was cited as one of the reasons she ended her Senate campaign.

2018: Defense of Enhanced Interrogation Techniques

In 2018, Liz Cheney defended the use of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques, claiming they "saved lives" and led to Osama bin Laden, after Senator John McCain criticized CIA director nominee Gina Haspel. Her remarks were criticized by Meghan McCain.

June 2019: Criticized Ocasio-Cortez

In June 2019, Liz Cheney criticized Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for comparing immigrant holding centers to "concentration camps".

June 21, 2019: Compared Trump to Obama on Iran

On June 21, 2019, Liz Cheney compared Trump not attacking Iran to Barack Obama not attacking Syria in 2013.

August 2019: Comments on Greater Yellowstone

In August 2019, Liz Cheney stated that the litigation to return the grizzly bear in Greater Yellowstone to the Endangered Species Act "was not based on science or facts".

December 18, 2019: Voted Against Trump's First Impeachment

On December 18, 2019, Liz Cheney voted against impeaching Donald Trump on both articles during his first impeachment.

2019: Feud with Rand Paul

In 2019, Liz Cheney publicly feuded with Rand Paul over who was "Trumpier."

2019: Voted Against MORE Act

In 2019, Liz Cheney voted against the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.

July 2020: Criticism from Republicans

In July 2020, Liz Cheney was criticized by some Republicans for defending Dr. Fauci and for endorsing a primary opponent.

September 2020: Asked for Investigation of Environmental Groups

In September 2020, Liz Cheney asked the Justice Department to investigate environmental groups.

2020: Campaigning Against Election Deniers

During the 2022 midterm elections, Cheney said she would campaign against Republican candidates who denied or questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election.

2020: Criticism of Elizabeth Warren's Nuclear Policy

In 2020, Liz Cheney criticized Elizabeth Warren for advocating the no-first-use nuclear policy after the second round of the Democratic Party presidential debates.

2020: Voted Against MORE Act

In 2020, Liz Cheney voted against the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.

2020: Wrote Essay on Presidential Immunity

On April 22, 2024, Liz Cheney published an essay in The New York Times urging the Supreme Court to quickly decide on presidential immunity to allow the legal proceedings of former President Trump to overturn the 2020 election to proceed in a timely manner.

January 6, 2021: Events of January 6th Deemed "Legitimate Political Discourse"

On January 6, 2021, the Republican National Committee called the events of January 6, 2021 "legitimate political discourse".

January 12, 2021: Announced Vote to Impeach Trump

On January 12, 2021, following the January 6th Capitol attack, Liz Cheney announced that she would vote to impeach Donald Trump for inciting the attack.

February 3, 2021: House Republican Conference Vote

On February 3, 2021, the House Republican Conference held a vote on whether to remove Liz Cheney from her leadership position, which she survived.

April 2021: Stated She Would Not Vote for Trump in 2024

In April 2021, Liz Cheney stated that she would not vote for Donald Trump if he were the Republican nominee for president in 2024.

May 5, 2021: Published Opinion Article

On May 5, 2021, Liz Cheney wrote an opinion article in The Washington Post, reiterating her commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law amid criticism from House Republicans.

May 12, 2021: Removed from House Republican Conference Chair

On May 12, 2021, Liz Cheney was formally removed from her position as House Republican Conference chair by a voice vote at a closed-door meeting and replaced by Elise Stefanik.

May 2021: Committed to Preventing Trump from Returning to Office

In May 2021, Liz Cheney said she would do everything she could to ensure that Donald Trump never gets near the Oval Office again.

May 2021: Intended to Restore the Republican Party

In May 2021, Liz Cheney stated her intention to be a leader in the fight to restore the Republican Party.

May 2021: Removal from Republican Leadership

In May 2021, Liz Cheney was removed from Republican leadership following her impeachment vote and criticism of Donald Trump.

September 26, 2021: Reaffirmation of Support for Waterboarding

On September 26, 2021, during an interview on 60 Minutes, Liz Cheney reaffirmed her support for waterboarding, stating that it is not torture.

November 13, 2021: Wyoming GOP No Longer Recognized Cheney as a Member

On November 13, 2021, the Wyoming GOP Central Committee voted to no longer recognize Liz Cheney as a member of the party.

November 2021: Wyoming Republican Party Revokes Membership

In November 2021, The Wyoming Republican Party revoked Liz Cheney's membership due to her role on the January 6th committee.

2021: Expressed Openness to Presidential Run

Beginning in 2021, Liz Cheney repeatedly expressed an openness to potentially running for president in 2024.

February 4, 2022: RNC Censured Cheney

On February 4, 2022, the Republican National Committee censured Liz Cheney for taking part in the House investigation of the January 6th Capitol assault.

February 2022: Censure from Republican National Committee

In February 2022, Liz Cheney received censure from the Republican National Committee for her role on the January 6th committee.

March 2022: Cheney Defended Vote on Trump's First Impeachment

In March 2022, Liz Cheney said she didn't regret her vote against impeaching Donald Trump during his first impeachment, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

June 2022: Addressed the January 6th Committee

In June 2022, while addressing the January 6th Committee, Liz Cheney cautioned Republicans who continued to support Donald Trump regarding the events of January 6th.

September 2022: Cheney Stated If Trump is Nominee, She Will Not Be A Republican

In September 2022, Liz Cheney stated "if [Donald Trump] is the nominee, I won't be a Republican."

October 2022: Endorsed Elissa Slotkin

In October 2022, Liz Cheney endorsed Democratic congresswoman Elissa Slotkin for reelection over Republican nominee Tom Barrett.

June 2023: Cheney Declined to Rule Out 2024 Presidential Bid

As recently as June 2023, Liz Cheney declined to rule out a presidential bid in 2024.

April 22, 2024: Wrote Essay on Presidential Immunity

On April 22, 2024, Liz Cheney published an essay in The New York Times urging the Supreme Court to quickly decide on presidential immunity.

September 4, 2024: Cheney to Vote for Kamala Harris

On September 4, 2024, Liz Cheney told a group of students at Duke University that she would be voting for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

September 2024: Republican Party Corrupted

In September 2024, Liz Cheney said in an interview that Trump has "so corrupted" the Republican Party.

November 1, 2024: Trump's Remarks and Death Threat Investigation

On November 1, 2024, at an Arizona rally, Donald Trump made remarks about Liz Cheney that led to an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General into whether they constituted a prosecutable death threat under Arizona law. Cheney responded that "This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death."

2024: Possible Presidential Bid

In 2024, Liz Cheney considered possibly running for president.

2024: Would Not Vote for Trump in 2024

In 2024, Liz Cheney stated that she would not vote for Donald Trump.

2024: Urged Voters to Reject Trump

In a speech at the Democracy Summit at Dartmouth College in 2024, Liz Cheney urged voters to reject Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee.