History of Liz Cheney in Timeline
Liz Cheney, an American lawyer and politician, served as the U.S. Representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023. During her tenure, she held the position of chair of the House Republican Conference from 2019 to 2021, making her the third-ranking Republican in the House. Cheney gained significant attention for her staunch criticism of former President Donald Trump. As of March 2023, she contributes as a professor of practice at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
July 28, 1966: Birth of Liz Cheney
On July 28, 1966, Elizabeth Lynne Cheney was born in Madison, Wisconsin to Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney.
1979: Dick Cheney Elected to Congress
Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney's father, was elected to Congress in 1979, beginning his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives.
1979: Dick Cheney's Congressional Term Begins
Liz Cheney's father, Dick Cheney, began representing Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1979.
1984: Liz Cheney Graduates High School
In 1984, Liz Cheney graduated from McLean High School in suburban Washington, D.C.
1989: Dick Cheney's Congressional Term Ends
Dick Cheney's term as a U.S. Representative for Wyoming concluded in 1989.
1989: Dick Cheney Leaves Congress
Dick Cheney's time in Congress concluded in 1989, marking the end of his service in the U.S. House of Representatives.
1989: Liz Cheney Begins Work at State Department
Liz Cheney began working at the State Department in 1989.
1993: Liz Cheney Begins Work at USAID
Liz Cheney commenced her work with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 1993.
1993: Marriage to Philip Perry
Liz Cheney married Philip Perry, a partner at Latham & Watkins, in Wyoming in 1993.
1996: Liz Cheney Graduates Law School
Liz Cheney earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1996.
2002: Liz Cheney Appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Liz Cheney was appointed to the position of deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs in 2002.
2003: Liz Cheney Leaves State Department
Liz Cheney departed from her role at the State Department in 2003 to contribute to the Bush-Cheney 2004 reelection campaign.
2004: Liz Cheney's Middle East Project Funding Request
In 2004, Liz Cheney sought $145 million for her project focused on promoting democracy and economic progress in the Middle East.
2004: Liz Cheney Joins Bush-Cheney Campaign
Liz Cheney actively participated in the Bush-Cheney 2004 reelection campaign.
February 14, 2005: Liz Cheney Returns to State Department
Liz Cheney returned to the U.S. State Department on February 14, 2005, assuming the position of principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs and coordinator for broader Middle East and North Africa initiatives.
March 2006: Liz Cheney Heads Iran Syria Policy and Operations Group
In March 2006, Liz Cheney took the helm of the Iran Syria Policy and Operations Group (ISOG), a specialized unit within the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
April 2006: New York Times Criticizes Liz Cheney's Work
The New York Times published an article in April 2006 that critically examined Liz Cheney's work, particularly in relation to Iran.
June 2007: Cheney Co-Chairs Thompson's Presidential Campaign
In June 2007, Liz Cheney took on the role of national co-chair for Fred Thompson's 2008 presidential campaign, alongside Spencer Abraham and George Allen.
2008: Cheney Joins Romney's Presidential Campaign
Following Fred Thompson's withdrawal from the 2008 presidential race, Liz Cheney joined Mitt Romney's campaign as a senior foreign policy advisor.
October 2009: Cheney Co-Founds Keep America Safe
Liz Cheney, William Kristol, and Deborah Burlingame established the nonprofit organization Keep America Safe in October 2009. The group, focused on national security issues, faced criticism for its campaign against Justice Department lawyers who had represented Guantanamo detainees.
2009: Cheney Defends Waterboarding
In 2009, Cheney defended the use of waterboarding during the Bush administration.
2009: Cheney's Controversial Remarks on Obama's Citizenship
In 2009, Cheney refused to denounce the birtherism movement and gave a speech at an event hosted by an anti-Muslim think tank.
2009: Founding of Keep America Safe
In 2009, Liz Cheney, alongside Bill Kristol, established Keep America Safe, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing national security concerns and upholding the positions of the Bush-Cheney administration.
2010: Cheney Labeled as "Conspiracy Propagandist"
In 2010, Bud Goodall called Cheney a "conspiracy propagandist."
2010: Inglis Loses Primary Runoff
In 2010, South Carolina Republican Bob Inglis suffered a significant defeat in a primary runoff election, marking one of the most substantial losses for a House incumbent in recent history.
January 2012: Cheney Joins Fox News as Contributor
Liz Cheney's tenure as a Fox News contributor began in January 2012. She participated as a guest host on shows like Hannity and Fox News Sunday.
2012: Cheney Purchases Home in Wyoming
Liz Cheney purchased a home in Wyoming in 2012, a few years before launching her Senate campaign.
2012: Move to Wyoming
Liz Cheney moved to Wyoming in 2012.
July 2013: Fox News Terminates Cheney's Contract
Liz Cheney's contract with Fox News was terminated in July 2013 following her decision to run for the U.S. Senate in Wyoming.
July 16, 2013: Cheney Announces Senate Candidacy
Liz Cheney officially announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Wyoming on July 16, 2013. She challenged incumbent Republican Senator Mike Enzi. Despite anticipated strong fundraising, her campaign faced accusations of carpetbagging due to her limited residency history in Wyoming.
2013: Cheney's Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage Sparks Family Feud
In 2013, Cheney's opposition to same-sex marriage caused a public rift with her gay sister, Mary, who criticized her stance.
January 6, 2014: Cheney Withdraws from Senate Race
Citing family health concerns, Liz Cheney made the decision to withdraw from the Wyoming Senate race on January 6, 2014.
2014: Cheney Launches Senate Bid in Wyoming
In 2014, Liz Cheney launched her campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in Wyoming. Her candidacy faced scrutiny due to her recent residency in the state and her stance on same-sex marriage.
2014: Liz Cheney's Senate Run
Liz Cheney launched a bid for the U.S. Senate in Wyoming in 2014, challenging incumbent Mike Enzi.
2014: Cheney's Senate Campaign Ends Amidst Family Controversy
In 2014, Cheney ended her Senate campaign, with the public family feud over same-sex marriage being a contributing factor.
2014: Cheney Criticizes Obama and Pelosi on Torture
In 2014, Cheney criticized President Obama for admitting to torture and Nancy Pelosi for criticizing her father's stance on the issue.
2014: Cheney's Senate Campaign and Criticism
During her 2014 Senate campaign, Liz Cheney's "hawkish" foreign policy positions and public disagreements with her sister over same-sex marriage sparked criticism. Despite attempts to highlight her family's Wyoming roots, her opponent's popularity posed a significant challenge.
2015: Lummis Announces Retirement from Congress
Cynthia Lummis, the incumbent Congresswoman from Wyoming, announced her decision to retire from Congress in the fall of 2015.
2015: Cheney Opposes Iran Nuclear Deal
In 2015, Cheney expressed opposition to the Iran nuclear deal.
February 1, 2016: Cheney Launches House Campaign
Following the retirement announcement of Wyoming Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis in 2015, Liz Cheney launched her campaign for the vacant House seat on February 1, 2016. She emerged as a prominent contender and secured victory with a significant majority of the votes.
January 3, 2017: Cheney Sworn into Congress, Trump Presidency Begins
On January 3, 2017, Liz Cheney was sworn into office as a member of Congress. Notably, this coincided with the commencement of Donald Trump's presidency in the same month. Analyses later revealed that Cheney's voting record aligned with Trump's positions on a significant majority of House votes.
2017: Cheney's Alignment with Trump's Positions
Between 2017 and 2021, Liz Cheney consistently voted in line with then-President Donald Trump's positions on a significant majority of House votes. Her voting record indicated a higher level of support for Trump's agenda compared to many of her Republican colleagues in the House.
2017: Liz Cheney Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2017, Liz Cheney was elected to represent Wyoming's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2018: Cheney Defends Enhanced Interrogation Techniques
In 2018, Cheney defended the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, sparking criticism from Meghan McCain.
May 2019: Cheney Alleges Potential "Coup" by FBI Agents
In May 2019, Liz Cheney raised concerns about text messages sent by FBI agents Peter Strzok and another agent. She suggested that their critical remarks about various politicians, including then-President Trump, hinted at a possible "coup" attempt and potentially constituted "treason".
June 2019: Cheney Criticizes Ocasio-Cortez's "Concentration Camps" Remark
In June 2019, Liz Cheney publicly criticized Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for comparing detention centers for undocumented immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border to "concentration camps." Cheney argued that Ocasio-Cortez's words demonstrated disrespect toward Holocaust victims.
June 21, 2019: Cheney Compares Trump to Obama on Iran
On June 21, 2019, Cheney compared Trump's decision not to attack Iran to Obama's inaction in Syria in 2013.
August 2019: Cheney's Comments on Grizzly Bear Litigation Spark Controversy
Speaking as chairwoman at a House Republican Conference in August 2019, Liz Cheney faced criticism for her remarks on the successful legal battle to restore Endangered Species Act protections for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone region. She claimed the litigation was driven by an "intent on destroying our Western way of life" rather than scientific evidence, drawing sharp responses from Native American tribes and environmental advocates.
September 18, 2019: Cheney Calls for Military Response to Iran
On September 18, 2019, Cheney called for a "proportional military response" against Iran following attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
December 18, 2019: First Impeachment Vote
On December 18, 2019, Liz Cheney voted against impeaching President Trump on both articles during his first impeachment.
2019: Liz Cheney Becomes Chair of House Republican Conference
Liz Cheney ascended to the position of chair of the House Republican Conference in 2019, marking a significant milestone in her political career.
2019: Cheney's Stance on Opioids and Marijuana
In 2019, Cheney supported bills to restrict opioids but opposed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.
2019: Cheney's Public Dispute with Rand Paul
In 2019, Liz Cheney engaged in a public disagreement with Senator Rand Paul, with both vying for the image of being more aligned with Donald Trump's policies and ideology.
July 2020: Cheney Faces Criticism from Fellow Republicans
During a House Republican Conference in July 2020, Liz Cheney faced criticism from some Republican colleagues, including Jim Jordan and Andy Biggs, for defending Dr. Anthony Fauci amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and for her past endorsement of a primary challenger against Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie.
September 2020: Cheney Calls for Investigation into Environmental Groups
Liz Cheney requested that the Justice Department investigate several environmental organizations, including the NRDC, Sea Change, and the Sierra Club, in September 2020. She expressed concerns about potential foreign influence on these groups, citing their alignment with views often held by U.S. adversaries.
2020: Cheney's Stance on Opioids and Marijuana
In 2020, Cheney supported bills to restrict opioids but opposed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.
2020: Cheney Criticizes Warren's Nuclear Policy Stance
In 2020, Cheney criticized Elizabeth Warren's support for a no-first-use nuclear policy.
January 6, 2021: RNC's Controversial Statement
The Republican National Committee sparked controversy by referring to the events of January 6, 2021, as "legitimate political discourse."
January 12, 2021: Decision to Impeach
Following the January 6th Capitol attack, Liz Cheney announced her decision to vote in favor of impeaching President Trump for his role in inciting the attack, stating that Trump "lit the flame" and failed to stop it.
February 3, 2021: Vote to Retain Leadership Position
On February 3, 2021, the House Republican Conference held a secret ballot vote on whether to remove Cheney from her leadership position due to her vote to impeach Trump. She retained her position by a significant margin.
March 2021: Support from Paul Ryan
Former Republican speaker Paul Ryan expressed support for Liz Cheney in March 2021.
April 2021: Opposition to Trump's Future Candidacy
In April 2021, Liz Cheney stated she would not vote for Donald Trump if he ran for president again in 2024.
May 5, 2021: Opinion Piece in The Washington Post
On May 5, 2021, Cheney penned an opinion piece for The Washington Post, defending her stance on upholding the Constitution and democratic principles.
May 12, 2021: Removal from Leadership Position
Liz Cheney was formally removed from her position as House Republican Conference chair on May 12, 2021, following a voice vote.
May 2021: Possible Presidential Bid
Cheney refused to rule out a presidential bid in May 2021, sparking media speculation about her political future.
May 2021: Liz Cheney Removed from House Republican Leadership
Due to her stance on the Capitol riot, impeachment vote, and opposition to Trump's stolen-election claims, Cheney was removed from leadership in May 2021.
May 2021: Strong Stance Against Trump
Cheney intensified her opposition to Trump in May 2021, stating her commitment to preventing him from returning to the Oval Office.
May 2021: Support from Larry Hogan
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan defended Cheney as a "solid conservative Republican" who "just stood up and told the truth."
June 17, 2021: Cheney Votes Against Repealing AUMF
On June 17, 2021, Cheney voted against repealing the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) related to Iraq.
July 1, 2021: Appointment to January 6th Committee
On July 1, 2021, Cheney was appointed vice chair of the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack by House speaker Nancy Pelosi.
July 2021: Liz Cheney Appointed to January 6th Committee
In July 2021, Nancy Pelosi appointed Liz Cheney to the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.
September 26, 2021: Cheney Reaffirms Support for Waterboarding
On September 26, 2021, Cheney reiterated her support for waterboarding, claiming it is not torture.
October 21, 2021: Cheney Votes to Hold Bannon in Contempt
On October 21, 2021, Cheney was one of nine House Republicans who voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress.
November 13, 2021: No Longer Recognized by Wyoming GOP
The Wyoming GOP Central Committee voted to no longer recognize Cheney as a member of the party on November 13, 2021.
November 2021: Liz Cheney's Membership Revoked
As a consequence of her service on the January 6th Committee, Liz Cheney's membership in the Wyoming Republican Party was revoked in November 2021.
2021: Cheney's Shift from Trump Ally to Critic
While Liz Cheney had been a staunch supporter of Donald Trump during his presidency, her stance shifted notably after the events of January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol.
2021: Cheney's Votes on COVID-19 Relief and Hate Crimes
In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Liz Cheney voted against both the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a major economic stimulus and relief bill, and the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, aimed at addressing hate crimes related to the pandemic. However, she voted in favor of the PPP Extension Act, which extended the Paycheck Protection Program.
2021: Cheney Recognized in Forbes 50 Over 50 and Time 100
In 2021, Cheney was featured in Forbes 50 Over 50 and Time 100, recognizing her influence and leadership.
2021: Liz Cheney Removed from House Republican Leadership
In a significant political development in 2021, Liz Cheney was removed from her position as chair of the House Republican Conference due to her opposition to former President Donald Trump.
February 4, 2022: Censure by the RNC
The Republican National Committee voted to censure Cheney and Adam Kinzinger on February 4, 2022, for their participation in the House investigation of the January 6th Capitol assault.
February 2022: Liz Cheney Censured by RNC
Liz Cheney faced censure by the Republican National Committee (RNC) in February 2022.
March 2022: No Regrets on First Impeachment Vote
In March 2022, Cheney stated she did not regret her vote against impeaching Trump during his first impeachment.
April 22, 2022: Profile in Courage Award
On April 22, 2022, Liz Cheney was named a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's Profile in Courage Award. She was recognized for her unwavering defense of democracy and her refusal to conform to the political expediency embraced by most members of her party.
June 2022: Message to Republican Colleagues
In June 2022, Cheney delivered a pointed message to her Republican colleagues who continued to support Trump, warning them that their "dishonor will remain."
August 16, 2022: Liz Cheney Loses Wyoming Republican Primary
On August 16, 2022, Cheney lost renomination in Wyoming's Republican primary to Trump-endorsed Harriet Hageman.
October 2022: Cheney Campaigns Against Election Deniers
In October 2022, Cheney campaigned against Republican candidates who denied the results of the 2020 presidential election, including Kari Lake and Mark Finchem in Arizona, and endorsed Democrat Elissa Slotkin for Congress in Michigan.
2022: Cheney Supports Drafting Women
In 2022, Cheney voted to include provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act to require women to register for the draft.
2022: Cheney Votes for Contraceptive Access
In 2022, Cheney voted for the Right to Contraception Act, aiming to protect access to contraception.
2022: Cheney Expresses Regret and Votes for Respect for Marriage Act
In 2022, Cheney expressed regret for opposing same-sex marriage and voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act.
March 1, 2023: Professor of Practice at UVA
The University of Virginia's Center for Politics appointed Cheney as a professor of practice on March 1, 2023.
March 2023: Liz Cheney Becomes Professor at University of Virginia
As of March 2023, Liz Cheney assumed the role of professor of practice at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
May 2023: Ad Campaign Against Trump
The Great Task ran an ad in New Hampshire during May 2023, advising Republican primary voters against supporting Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.
June 2023: Continued Consideration of Presidential Bid
As of June 2023, Cheney had not ruled out a potential presidential bid in 2024.
December 5, 2023: Release of Memoir, "Oath and Honor"
Cheney released her memoir, "Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning," on December 5, 2023, detailing her experiences surrounding January 6th and her time on the January 6th Committee.
December 2023: Open to Bipartisan Ticket
Cheney expressed openness to joining a bipartisan ticket for the 2024 election, suggesting the possibility of a third-party option.
April 22, 2024: Cheney Urges Supreme Court Action on Trump's Immunity
On April 22, 2024, Cheney published an essay advocating for a swift Supreme Court decision on Trump's presidential immunity regarding his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
September 4, 2024: Cheney Announces Support for Kamala Harris in 2024 Election
On September 4, 2024, Cheney announced she would vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, citing her conservative beliefs and concern for the Constitution.
2024: Cheney Urges Voters to Reject Trump's Candidacy
Cheney urged voters to reject Donald Trump's candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, criticizing his comments about the Civil War.
2024: Honorary Doctor of Laws from Dartmouth College
In 2024, Liz Cheney received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Dartmouth College.