The Lincoln Project has said that the Republican Party is at an end and that the modern GOP has become a "nationalist cult" dedicated to former President Donald Trump.
The conservative group, which has long opposed Trump and his Republican allies, issued a strongly worded statement late on Tuesday following the primary defeat of Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney.
Cheney is one of only two Republicans on the House of Representatives' select committee investigating the Capitol riot from January 6, 2021. The congresswoman also serves as vice chair of the panel.
She was soundly defeated in Wyoming's GOP primary by lawyer Harriet Hageman, who was endorsed by the former president and echoed his unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential was "rigged" during her victory speech.
"Tonight, the nation marks the end of the Republican Party. What remains shares the name and branding of the traditional GOP, but is in fact an authoritarian nationalist cult dedicated only to Donald Trump," the Lincoln Project's statement read.
"Liz Cheney stood up to the lawless, reckless attack on our nation led by Donald Trump and millions of Americans saw leadership that transcended ideological boundaries," the group said.
"For standing up to Donald Trump and working to hold accountable those responsible for his violent insurrection, Liz Cheney risked and lost her political career as a Republican," the statement continued.
The Lincoln Project described Hageman as "a reality-denying conspiracy theorist who promotes the 'Big Lie' and bends a knee to Donald Trump."
"Liz Cheney showed America what a dedicated public servant driven by principle is like; it's no wonder today's GOP hates her," the statement read, going on to call Cheney an "essential leader of the pro-democracy forces in the United States today."
"The way she fought this race has only increased her stature among people setting aside their partisan differences to fight for democracy. We thank her for her service, and look forward to seeing her next chapter. America needs her and more people like her," the Lincoln Project concluded.
Newsweek has asked Trump's office and the Lincoln Project for comment.
Cheney hinted at those next steps during her concession speech on Tuesday, telling supporters: "This primary election is over but now the real work begins."
There has been some speculation that Cheney could mount a presidential bid in 2024, but she did not address the question directly on Tuesday. However, she did make reference to President Abraham Lincoln's early political setbacks.
Trump welcomed Cheney's defeat in posts on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, saying Cheney "can finally disappear into the depths of political oblivion where, I am sure, she will be much happier than she is right now."
He also slammed Cheney for saying the 2020 presidential election was not rigged, saying there was "massive and conclusive evidence" that the election was stolen. However, courts have consistently rejected claims that the election suffered mass voter fraud and other irregularities.
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About the writer
Darragh Roche is a U.S. News Reporter based in Limerick, Ireland. His focus is reporting on U.S. politics. He has ... Read more
