Joe Scarborough did not hold back in his criticism of former President Donald Trump after Trump made inflammatory comments about Liz Cheney. On the November 1, 2024, episode of Morning Joe, Scarborough condemned Trump for suggesting that Cheney, a former Republican Congresswoman, should be shot at due to her criticism of his handling of the January 6 Capitol riot.
Labeling Cheney as the “conservative’s conservative,” Scarborough expressed outrage over Trump’s remarks, characterizing them as a betrayal of party loyalty. He highlighted that Cheney’s objections to Trump’s actions during the Capitol riot should not have turned her into an “enemy of the state” in Trump’s eyes.
Scarborough recounted the terrifying realities of that day, drawing parallels between Trump’s attacks on Cheney and his previous comments targeting General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Scarborough noted that Trump had previously suggested that Milley’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was so egregious that it could have warranted execution.
“Donald Trump is talking about Republicans here,” Scarborough stated. He stressed that Cheney has been a principled conservative for many years and questioned Trump’s motives for attacking someone who has served the party faithfully. “So more conservative in every way than Donald Trump,” he added.
The MSNBC host elaborated on Cheney’s courage to speak out against the violence of January 6, noting that her integrity should be respected rather than vilified. Scarborough painted a vivid picture of the chaos that unfolded during the Capitol riot, emphasizing the dire situations faced by law enforcement and those in the Capitol building that day.
He recalled, “While cops are getting their heads crushed inside doors, getting beaten up… this is what is so dismissed day in and day out, and that is what Liz Cheney objected to.” Scarborough criticized Trump’s dismissal of the events of January 6, stating that Cheney’s opposition to the riots was justified and necessary.
Trump had made his controversial remarks about Cheney during a rally, calling her a “radical war hawk.” He suggested that if Cheney had guns pointed at her, she might reconsider her views on military intervention. Following the backlash, the Trump campaign downplayed the remarks, claiming he was merely speaking in a metaphorical context about a combat zone rather than inciting violence.
This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party, particularly between Trump and those who oppose his divisive rhetoric and actions. Scarborough’s passionate defense of Cheney underscores the complexity of loyalty in a party that has seen significant shifts since Trump took office.
