Liz Cheney is about to have a terrible 4 years.
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) took to social media on Wednesday to declare that the results of the 2024 election, in which former President Donald Trump secured a second term, should be respected by all Americans. Despite her well-known differences with Trump, Cheney emphasized the importance of unity in the face of election outcomes, stating that citizens, courts, the media, and elected officials must now act as the “guardrails of democracy.”
In her post on X, Cheney acknowledged the process of democracy had worked, saying, “Our nation’s democratic system functioned last night, and we have a new President-elect.” She emphasized the collective responsibility to uphold the principles of the Constitution and the rule of law, regardless of personal feelings toward the outcome. “All Americans are bound, whether we like the outcome or not, to accept the results of our elections,” she continued.
For Cheney, defending the integrity of the nation’s democratic institutions is paramount. “We now have a special responsibility, as citizens of the greatest nation on earth, to do everything we can to support and defend our Constitution, preserve the rule of law, and ensure that our institutions hold over these coming four years,” Cheney stated. She also underscored the need for citizens, the judiciary, the media, and elected officials across all levels of government to act as vigilant stewards of democracy.
Trump’s victory in key battleground states—including Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Nevada—secured him the presidency early on. The former president is also poised to win Michigan and Arizona, two states that remained too close to call as of Wednesday morning.
Cheney’s political journey has been marked by her outspoken opposition to Trump, especially after the 2020 election and the events of January 6, 2021. Her critiques cost her her position as House GOP Conference Chair in 2021, and she was defeated in the 2022 primary after Trump backed a challenger. Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, have since aligned with Vice President Kamala Harris on certain issues.
Meanwhile, Republicans had a successful night in the Senate, flipping seats held by Democrat Sens. Jon Tester (Mont.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio). The GOP’s Senate gains were a bright spot for the party, as they expanded their majority in the upper chamber. Control of the House is still up in the air, with Democrats making gains in some areas, including flipping several seats in New York.
Ultimately, the 2024 election results are a reminder of the resilience of the American democratic system—and the crucial role every citizen, elected official, and public institution plays in upholding its values. As Cheney points out, the responsibility of safeguarding our democracy falls on all of us, regardless of political affiliation.