McConnell Praises Liz Cheney: 'A Leader with Deep Convictions'
'Liz Cheney is a leader with deep convictions and the courage to act on them'
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has defended Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who voted for Donald Trump's impeachment, saying she had "courage to act" on her "deep convictions."
Neon Nettle reported earlier that Republicans called for Cheney's resignation after she announced her vote to impeach Trump.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said he supported calls for Cheney's resignation.
"I don’t think she should be the chair of the Republican conference anymore," Biggs said.
But McConnell came to Cheney’s defense.
"Liz Cheney is a leader with deep convictions and the courage to act on them," McConnell said in a statement.
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"She is an important leader in our party and in our nation."
"I am grateful for her service and look forward to continuing to work with her on the crucial issues facing our nation."
McConnell is yet to rule out voting to convict Trump on the impeachment charge.
Folowing the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, Cheney publicly condemned Trump.
In a statement, Cheney said Trump "assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack," by spreading unfounded theories that the election was stolen.
The Wyoming Republican’s stance saw backlash from conservatives and her own state party, who accused Cheney of triggering "anger and frustration" within the GOP.
Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida called for Cheney to be ousted in a primary in her next election cycle.
But Cheney has remained firm in her decision.
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"I'm not going anywhere," Cheney told reporters in January.
"This is a vote of conscience."
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for a second time last month for "incitement of insurrection," following the riots at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Democrats said the riot was a failed attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden.
Neon Nettle reported that five of Trump's top lawyers left his impeachment defense team on Saturday, with just a week to go before the trial in the US Senate.
Trump later announced lawyers David Schoen and Bruce Castor would replace his former impeachment defense team.
Trump praised Schoen and Castor for having “significant trial experience in high profile cases.”
