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Former Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) delivered a sharp response to President-elect Donald Trump after he criticized President Joe Biden for awarding her and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) the Presidential Citizens Medal.
The recognition, announced this week, honored Cheney and Thompson for their roles in the investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
“Donald, this is not the Soviet Union,” Cheney wrote Friday on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. “You can’t change the truth and you cannot silence us.”
Cheney, who served as vice chair of the House committee investigating the Capitol riot, was commended by Biden for her dedication to defending democracy.
She also received praise for her seven years in Congress. Thompson, the committee’s chair, was similarly honored for his “lifelong dedication to safeguarding our Constitution.”
Earlier on Friday, Trump lashed out at the awards on his platform, Truth Social, accusing Biden of handing out “fake medals.” He called Cheney “corrupt” and claimed the recognition was purely based on her opposition to him. “Biden rewarded her only because she hated ‘TRUMP,’” Trump wrote.
Cheney, known for her outspoken criticism of Trump, quickly responded, doubling down on her condemnation of his actions during and after the 2020 presidential election.
“Remember all your lies about the voting machines, the election workers, your countless allegations of fraud that never happened?” she said in her Friday post.
“Many of your lawyers have been sanctioned, disciplined, or disbarred, the courts ruled against you, and dozens of your own White House, administration, and campaign aides testified against you.”
Trump’s post-election legal challenges have led to severe consequences for several of his allies. Rudy Giuliani, a key Trump advocate, was disbarred in Washington, D.C., last fall over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Jeffrey Clark, a former Department of Justice official who sought to aid Trump’s attempts to block the transfer of power, was found to have violated ethics rules.
The D.C. Bar recommended suspending Clark’s law license for two years. Sidney Powell, another Trump ally, faced sanctions after attempting to overturn election results in Michigan.
Cheney highlighted these incidents as part of her broader critique of Trump’s baseless election fraud claims. She also referenced former Vice President Mike Pence’s decision to certify the 2020 election results, despite Trump’s pressure to block the process.
“Remember how your former Vice President prevented you from overturning our Republic?” Cheney wrote. “We remember.”
Cheney’s statement went further, urging Americans to stand against Trump’s return to power. “Now, as you take office again, the American people need to reject your latest malicious falsehoods and stand as the guardrails of our Constitutional Republic — to protect the America we love from you,” she concluded.
Her remarks underline the ongoing division within the Republican Party and her unwavering stance against Trump’s influence.
As the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney has become a prominent figure in the fight for traditional Republican values, often clashing with Trump’s populist agenda.
The Presidential Citizens Medal is one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country.
Cheney and Thompson’s recognition reflects the Biden administration’s acknowledgment of their efforts to uphold democracy during a tumultuous period in American history.
By awarding the medals, Biden highlighted the importance of accountability and truth in preserving democratic principles, a message that resonates amid Trump’s continued efforts to undermine confidence in U.S. elections.
