(PresidentialInsider.com)- Former President Donald Trump is using all of his influence to try to make sure that Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney does not win re-election.
On Wednesday, a source told media outlet The Hill that Trump would be backing a Republican attorney who is set to challenge Cheney in the Republican primary in Wyoming. The former president has promised all along to back challengers to Cheney, and he seems to be following through on that promise.
The person Trump is set to support is Harriet Hageman. She would be challenging Cheney for the seat on the House of Representatives.
Politico first reported that Trump and some of his allies have been pushing Hageman to enter the election and run against Cheney. Trump would then endorse Hageman, and he’d also try to get other major players in the GOP to rally support around her so as to whittle down a potentially crowded primary field.
Trump has been focused on taking down Cheney ever since she was one of 10 Republicans who voted in favor of his impeachment earlier this year. Cheney, who has been in Congress for three terms, is one of the most outspoken Republican critics of Trump and his base.
Because of her outspoken ways, she was eventually removed from her leadership position with the House GOP back in May. Then, she was chosen by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on the January 6 investigation committee — a position she gladly accepted.
Cheney has repeatedly rejected all claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. She’s also blamed Trump for inciting the attack on the U.S. Capitol building on January 6.
Since then, she’s vowed to “do everything I can to ensure that the former president never gets anywhere near the Oval Office.”
Back in May, Jason Miller, who was then serving as Trump’s spokesman, told The Washington Post that taking down Cheney in the 2022 midterm elections was “one of the highest priorities as far as primary endorsements go.”
Trump hasn’t just played a passive role from the outside, encouraging and endorsing candidates, though. He’s gotten directly involved by interviewing and vetting potential candidates who were considering a run against the Wyoming congresswoman.
Ultimately, The Hill’s source said he chose Hageman because she left a great impression on him throughout that process. The former president has apparently already told Hageman he will throw his support behind her — with an official endorsement expected to come in the next few days.
To prep for her role as a candidate, Hageman stepped down from her position as the national GOP committeewoman at the Republican National Convention.
In a resignation letter, which was obtained by Politico, Hageman wrote:
“By censuring Rep. Liz Cheney we sent the strong message that we expect our elected officials to respect the views and values of the people who elected them. Accountability is key and I am proud of our party for demanding it.”
