In a powerful and uncompromising intervention into the 2025 US presidential race, former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney has launched a devastating critique of Donald Trump, questioning his fundamental fitness for office and warning that his return to power would pose a "grave threat" to American democracy.
A stark warning from the political wilderness
Cheney, who lost her House seat after becoming one of Trump's most prominent Republican critics, has broken her recent political silence with a series of blunt assessments that are sending shockwaves through Washington. Her comments come as the former president maintains a dominant position in the Republican primary contest.
"The American people need to understand the stakes," Cheney declared, emphasising that this election represents a fundamental choice about the future of democratic institutions. Her words carry particular weight given her previous role as vice-chair of the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack.
The democracy defence continues
Despite her electoral defeat, Cheney shows no signs of retreating from her position that Trump represents an unprecedented danger to constitutional norms. She pointedly noted that "those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it" when discussing the events surrounding the 2020 election and the subsequent assault on the Capitol.
Her intervention comes at a critical moment in the election cycle, as Republican candidates navigate the complicated terrain of either embracing or distancing themselves from the former president. Cheney's unwavering stance places her in direct opposition to much of her former party's establishment.
A divided Republican future
The former Wyoming representative didn't limit her criticism to Trump alone. She also took aim at Republican leaders who continue to support the former president despite his legal challenges and controversial statements. This internal party conflict highlights the deep divisions that continue to shape American conservatism.
Cheney's comments suggest she intends to remain an active voice in the political conversation, potentially using her platform to influence moderate and independent voters who may determine the election's outcome. Her willingness to sacrifice her congressional career for her principles has earned her both fierce criticism and admiration across the political spectrum.
As the 2025 election approaches, Cheney's warnings serve as a reminder that the battle for the soul of American democracy continues to rage, with former allies becoming some of the most vocal critics of a potential Trump restoration.
