Internet shreds Liz Cheney for telling Mike Johnson it's 'worth' losing Speakership over Ukraine aid

WASHINGTON, DC: In an eyebrow-raising statement on CNN's 'State of the Union' on Sunday, February 18, former Rep Liz Cheney (R-Wyo) advocated for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) to prioritize passing a bill approving aid for Ukraine, even if it means risking his Speakership.

The call to action comes amidst mounting tensions surrounding the fate of crucial aid for Ukraine, as the Senate recently passed a bill endorsing funding for the embattled nation, a move Johnson had previously rejected.

Liz Cheney's advice to Speaker Mike Johnson

Addressing concerns raised by CNN's Jake Tapper about potential backlash from conservative Republicans, the Wyoming Republican stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

“What I would say to that is, you know, he ought to understand that it is worth it if he has to lose his Speakership in order to make sure that freedom survives, in order to make sure that the United States of America continues to play its leadership role in the world,” Cheney said.

“You got to read what’s happening in Ukraine today, you got to read about the slaughter that’s going on. And you got to understand that we are at a turning point in the history — not just of this nation, but of the world,” she continued.

The bipartisan Senate bill, passed last week, encompasses an aid package, allocating $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion in security assistance to Israel, and substantial humanitarian aid for Gaza, the West Bank, and Ukraine. Additionally, it includes provisions aimed at deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

Despite the Senate's stance, Johnson has remained hesitant, citing concerns about prioritizing foreign aid over domestic security. “The mandate of national security supplemental legislation was to secure America’s own border before sending additional foreign aid around the world,” he said

With a razor-thin majority in the House and facing pressure from former President Donald Trump, Johnson has hesitated to advance the Ukraine aid bill, opting instead to adjourn the House for a two-week recess.

Cheney, who herself faced repercussions within the GOP for her unwavering criticism of Trump, urged Johnson to resist external pressures and prioritize the needs of the Ukrainian people.

"He’s going to have to explain to future generations to his kids, to his grandkids whether or not he did what was right, whether or not he was a force for good and aided the cause of freedom, or whether he continued down this path of cowardice and doing what Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin wanted him to do,” she told Tapper.

Cheney subsequently wove their rhetoric together using the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

“When you think about Donald Trump, for example, pledging retribution,” she said, as quoted by Politico. “What Vladimir Putin did to Navalny is what retribution looks like in a country where the leader is not subject to the rule of law, and I think that we have to take Donald Trump very seriously.”

Internet slams Liz Cheney

However, Cheney's impassioned stance drew criticism on social media, with some labeling her as a "neocon" and questioning her credibility.

"The neocons and Warhawks are angry," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"A loser like Liz Cheney saying it’s 'worth' Speaker Mike Johnson losing Speakership over passing Ukraine aid bill is the same as if loser boy Adam Kinzinger said it," another wrote.

"Woman who lost her seat by defying her constituents tells other members of Congress how to lose their seats by defying their constituents," someone else quipped.

"I wonder if she would say the same thing if she were speaker? It's easy to give up something that's not yours to begin with," a comment read.

"Liz losing her seat was well worth it," another chimed in.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.