Trump swipes at Cheney as she faces criticism from other Republicans

President Trump on Thursday took a swipe at House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney (Wyo.) and amplified accusations from other Republicans that Cheney is working against the president’s agenda.

“Liz Cheney is only upset because I have been actively getting our great and beautiful Country out of the ridiculous and costly Endless Wars,” Trump tweeted Thursday morning. “I am also making our so-called allies pay tens of billions of dollars in delinquent military costs. They must, at least, treat us fairly!!!”

Liz Cheney is only upset because I have been actively getting our great and beautiful Country out of the ridiculous and costly Endless Wars. I am also making our so-called allies pay tens of billions of dollars in delinquent military costs. They must, at least, treat us fairly!!!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2020

The president then shared a tweet from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) stating that Cheney is “leading the fight” to stop Trump from withdrawing U.S. troops from overseas conflicts.

Paul’s tweet itself shared a message from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) accusing Cheney of disloyalty to Trump and demanding she “step down or be removed” as GOP conference chair.

Cheney, who is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has been outspoken about her opposition to Trump’s plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany and Afghanistan. She has also defended Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and a key official working on the response to the coronavirus pandemic, after he faced stunning public criticism from some inside the White House.

Earlier this week, several conservative lawmakers attacked Cheney during a private conference meeting over her support for Fauci and for backing a primary challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). Some also accused Cheney of undermining Trump.  Gaetz later tweeted that he wanted Cheney to be removed as conference chair.

Trump’s public criticism of Cheney is not particularly unusual. The president often attacks those who publicly break with him, including Republican lawmakers and former members of his administration.

Cheney’s office did not return a request for comment. 

Juliegrace Brufke contributed.