GOP senator defends Cheney, Murkowski after Trump rebuke

A GOP senator who opposed both impeachments of former President Trump said Sunday that he believes impeachment-supporting Republicans such as Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) still have a place in the party.

In an interview with Chuck Todd on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) pushed back against Trump’s call this week for Republicans to replace both Cheney and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the latter of whom the former president vowed to personally campaign against, while not addressing Trump’s criticism.

“I want to always make sure we nominate somebody who can win in November. Lisa Murkowski knows Alaska better than anybody, and she’s an incredible fighter for American energy. She hasn’t made an announcement if she’s even going to run again. If she does, I’m going to support her,” Barrasso said.

“With regard to Liz Cheney in Wyoming, we work closely together fighting the Biden administration,” he added of his fellow Wyoming lawmaker. 

“So, I support her. I disagree with her completely on the issue of impeachment. She voted one way. I voted the other,” he continued.

His comments came in response to a statement the former president released this week after Murkowski broke with her party to vote for the confirmation of Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to be President Biden’s Interior secretary. Trump promised to travel to Alaska personally and campaign against Murkowski in a a GOP primary.                

“I do not know where other people will be next year, but I know where I will be — in Alaska campaigning against a disloyal and very bad Senator,” Trump said.

Trump’s ire reportedly remains focused on Cheney as well due to her prominence as the only impeachment-supporting member of House GOP leadership.

A CNN investigation last month uncovered the president’s efforts to encourage GOP leaders to remove Cheney from her leadership position while also pushing for primary challengers.