On May 13th, 2021, it was announced that Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming had received a new book deal. The book, titled “Repudiation: Onward to a New Republican Party,” focuses on her fight to save the party from what she calls the “anti-democratic cult of Trumpism.” The book is set to be released in the fall, just in time for the 2022 midterm elections in which Cheney hopes to see the Republican Party move away from the influence of former President Donald Trump.
Liz Cheney has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, particularly in the wake of his claims of election fraud in the 2020 election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. She was one of 10 Republican House members who voted to impeach Trump in January for his role in inciting the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. For that act of defiance, Cheney was stripped of her leadership role as the Chair of the House Republican Conference, and was censured by the Wyoming Republican Party.
Cheney has not backed down from her opposition to Trump, however. In a speech on the House floor on May 11th, she stated, “The Republican Party is at a turning point, and Republicans must decide whether we are going to choose truth and fidelity to the Constitution.” She went on to say that Donald Trump “risks inciting further violence” with his continued claims of election fraud.
The publication of Cheney’s book is the culmination of her efforts to push back against Trump and his supporters within the Republican Party. It is also a sign that Cheney is not giving up on her fight to return the party to a more traditional conservative platform, free of the populist, authoritarian tendencies that Trump represents.
The book, which will be published by Simon & Schuster, was acquired by the company’s conservative imprint, Threshold Editions. According to a press release, the book will “lay out her reasons for rejecting the ‘Big Lie’ that the 2020 election was stolen, her role in impeaching Donald Trump, and her ongoing fight to prevent the former President from further damaging America’s democracy.”
The timing of the book’s release is no coincidence. The 2022 midterm elections are only a year and a half away, and the Republican Party is facing the challenge of defining what it stands for in the post-Trump era. Cheney’s book is a manifesto of sorts, outlining a vision for a Republican Party that is true to its conservative principles while also remaining committed to the democratic process.
The book is likely to be controversial, particularly among Trump’s most ardent supporters. Some conservative commentators have already criticized Cheney for her efforts to undermine Trump, accusing her of being a “Never-Trumper” and a member of the “Republican establishment.” In reality, however, Cheney’s views are firmly in line with traditional conservative values, including a commitment to limited government, personal responsibility, and a strong national defense.
Cheney has a strong conservative pedigree. Her father, Dick Cheney, served as Vice President under President George W. Bush, and before that was a member of Congress and Secretary of Defense. Liz Cheney herself is a former Bush administration official and a conservative stalwart who has served as Wyoming’s lone representative in the House since 2017.
It is unclear how successful Cheney’s efforts to push back against Trump will be. The former President remains a popular figure among many Republican voters, and his influence over the party shows no signs of waning. However, Cheney’s book represents a bold and principled stand against what she sees as the threat of authoritarianism and anti-democratic forces within her own party. In doing so, she is keeping alive the flame of conservatism that has defined the Republican Party for generations.
Cheney’s book is not the only recent example of conservatives pushing back against Trumpism. In March, a group of over 100 Republicans launched a “Call for American Renewal,” a manifesto calling for a “return to principles-based governing.” The group includes former governors, members of Congress, and other Republican officials who are disillusioned with the direction of the party under Trump.
The publication of Cheney’s book is also a sign that the fight for the soul of the Republican Party is far from over. While Trump may still have significant influence over the party, there are many Republicans who believe that his vision of conservatism is fundamentally at odds with the values that have traditionally defined the GOP.
Cheney’s book is likely to ignite further debate and discussion within the party. It remains to be seen whether it will convince any Republicans to abandon Trump and embrace a more traditional conservative platform. However, Cheney’s bravery and commitment to the principles of democracy and conservatism should be applauded, regardless of the outcome.
In the end, the battle for the soul of the Republican Party may be decided not by politicians, but by voters. As more Americans become disillusioned with Trumpism and the populist, anti-democratic forces that it represents, there may be a growing appetite for a more traditional conservatism that emphasizes limited government, personal responsibility, and a commitment to the democratic process.
Cheney’s book is just one part of a larger effort to return the Republican Party to its roots. Whether that effort ultimately succeeds remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Liz Cheney’s courage and commitment to her principles represent the best of what the Republican Party has to offer – a dedication to conservative values and a commitment to democracy that transcends petty politics and partisan infighting.
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