RNC to debate Trump ally’s resolution to expel Cheney, Kinzinger: report

Members of the Republican National Committee (RNC) will reportedly debate a resolution put forth by a Trump ally this week that calls for expelling Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) from the House Republican Conference.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that RNC members will discuss a resolution proposed by two-time Trump campaign adviser David Bossie at the committee’s annual meeting this week in Salt Lake City.

The proposal criticizes the two Republicans and calls on the RNC to formally endorse ousting them from the House GOP, people with knowledge of the document told the Post.

The resolution — which is reportedly co-sponsored by Frank Eathorne, the chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party and an ally of former President Trump’s — has been passed around by party officials and RNC members in recent days, according to the Post.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has not yet said if she supports the resolution, the Post noted. In November, however, she said she still considered Cheney to be a member of the Republican party. That statement came after the Wyoming GOP voted to no longer recognize the congresswoman.

The document reportedly cited Cheney’s and Kinzinger’s involvement in the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol as one reason why they should be ousted from the conference. Bossie also said the duo should be expelled because of their efforts to “destroy President Trump.”

He reportedly said the two lawmakers should concentrate on assisting the party in November’s midterm elections instead of helping Democrats on the investigative committee.

The reported resolution calling for their ouster is the latest rebuke against Cheney and Kinzinger, who have frequently criticized members of the party and Trump. They are the only two GOP lawmakers serving on the Jan. 6 select committee.

Cheney was removed from House GOP leadership last year after she voted to impeach Trump on the charge of inciting an insurrection and condemned the president for his actions connected to Jan. 6.

Some Republicans are encouraging the RNC to scuttle the resolution, arguing that considering such an issue would create an internal public fight that could spill into the public eye, according to the Post. Those individuals say the party’s time would be better spent criticizing Democrats or discussing the midterm races.

Cheney is up for reelection this November but will first have to face off against Trump-backed Harriet Hageman in the GOP primary. Kinzinger announced in October that he will not seek reelection this year.

Cheney responded to the reported resolution in a statement to the Post, telling the newspaper, “The leaders of the Republican Party have made themselves willing hostages to a man who admits he tried to ‘overturn’ a presidential election and suggests he would pardon Jan. 6 defendants, some of whom have been charged with seditious conspiracy.”

“I’m a constitutional conservative and I do not recognize those in my party who have abandoned the Constitution to embrace Donald Trump. History will be their judge. I will never stop fighting for our constitutional republic. No matter what,” she added.

When reached for comment on the reported resolution, Kinzinger’s deputy chief of staff, Maura Gillespie, told The Hill on Wednesday, “We’ll see what happens.”

“I think their time would be better served by focusing on 2022 rather than an unprecedented and shortsighted effort to purge two lifelong Republicans for simply telling the truth and upholding their oaths of office,” she added.

Updated: 7:03 p.m.