As reported by CBS News on December 1, Cheney voiced deep apprehension about the evolving relationship between her party and Trump, emphasizing his apparent disregard for the truth.
Cheney warned against underestimating the dangers, asserting that those who downplay the risks due to checks and balances misunderstand the extent to which current Republicans in Congress have been co-opted.
“People who say, ‘Well, if he’s elected, it’s not that dangerous because we have all of these checks and balances,’ don’t fully understand the extent to which the Republicans in Congress today have been co-opted,” Cheney stated in the interview.
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She painted a worrisome picture of the nation “sleepwalking into dictatorship” if Trump secures another term.
Cheney elaborated on the collaborative nature required for such a scenario, singling out Speaker of the House Mike Johnson as an example.
She characterized Johnson as a willing collaborator, fully aware that his actions were wrong but choosing to please Trump nonetheless. According to Cheney, this collaboration is what makes the situation particularly dangerous.
“The story of Mike Johnson is a story of a collaborator and of someone who knew then—and knows now—that what he’s doing and saying is wrong, but he’s willing to do it in an effort to please Donald Trump. And that’s what makes it dangerous,” Cheney explained.
When questioned directly by Dickerson, Cheney asserted that the Speaker of the House was collaborating to overthrow the last election: “Absolutely.”
Cheney’s insights come at a time when the political landscape is charged with speculation about Trump’s potential return to the presidency, underscoring the deep divides within the Republican party.
In addition to discussing Trump’s potential re-election, Cheney touched on her new book, “Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning,” offering further insights into her perspectives on American politics and the challenges posed by figures like Donald Trump and those who collaborate with him.
As the interview unfolds, Cheney’s words serve as a stark reminder of the high stakes and potential consequences that could shape the future of American democracy.
