Kamala Harris Liz Cheney rally/ Harris Cheney against Trump/ Ripon Wisconsin GOP birthplace/ Harris Cheney campaign 2024/ Trump criticized by Cheney/ Newslooks/ RIPON/ WISCONSIN/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican Liz Cheney joined forces in Ripon, Wisconsin, the birthplace of the Republican Party, to denounce Donald Trump as a threat to democracy. The unlikely pairing focused on Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results, with Harris aiming to win over moderate and crossover voters as the 2024 election nears.
Harris and Cheney Unite in Wisconsin Quick Looks
- Bipartisan unity: Kamala Harris and Liz Cheney rally together in Wisconsin to condemn Trump’s threat to democracy.
- Targeting Trump: Harris criticized Trump’s rejection of the 2020 election results, while Cheney highlighted his failure to act during the Jan. 6 attack.
- Strategic state: The rally took place in Ripon, Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state and the birthplace of the Republican Party.
- Cross-party appeal: Harris is seeking to attract moderate Republicans and independents unsettled by Trump’s actions.
Kamala Harris & Liz Cheney Unite Against Trump in Wisconsin Rally
Deep Look
In a striking display of cross-party unity, Vice President Kamala Harris shared the stage with Republican Liz Cheney in Ripon, Wisconsin, on Thursday, where they jointly condemned Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. The event, held in the birthplace of the Republican Party, underscores the unusual alliances forming ahead of the 2024 presidential election as Harris and Cheney appeal to moderate and independent voters who reject Trump’s continued influence over the GOP.
Harris, who is vying for the presidency in the upcoming election, delivered a powerful speech emphasizing that Trump’s behavior poses a direct threat to American democracy. “He refused to accept the will of the people,” Harris said, referencing Trump’s persistent and false claims of voter fraud after losing the 2020 election. Harris also criticized Trump’s failure to act during the violent attack on the Capitol, pointing to his self-interest and disregard for democratic principles. “The president of the United States must not look at our country through the narrow lens of ideology or party partisanship,” Harris declared.
Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney and one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics, echoed these sentiments. Cheney played a prominent role on the House committee that investigated the January 6 insurrection and has since been ostracized by much of her party. In her speech, Cheney didn’t hold back, stating, “Violence does not and must never determine who rules us. Voters do.” She recounted how Trump watched the attack unfold on television and refused to intervene, calling him a “coward” who praised rioters instead of condemning them.
This rally marked an unusual moment in modern U.S. politics—a Democratic candidate aligning with a Republican from a prominent political family just weeks before the election. For Harris, it’s part of a strategy to attract moderate and disillusioned Republicans who are uncomfortable with Trump’s behavior and his ongoing dominance within the GOP. Cheney, who endorsed Harris last month, made her support clear, saying, “I know she will be a president for all Americans.”
Ripon, Wisconsin, the symbolic location of the event, played an important role in the birth of the Republican Party in the 1850s. Harris’s decision to campaign there with Cheney highlights the historical weight of the moment, as both women seek to rally voters from across the political spectrum to unite against Trump’s brand of politics.
While Harris and Cheney presented a united front, Donald Trump, campaigning in Michigan on the same day, dismissed their alliance, telling Fox News, “I think they hurt each other. I think they’re so bad, both of them.” Trump’s criticism underscores the deepening divide between his supporters and those within the Republican Party who reject his influence.
Harris’s swing through Wisconsin and Michigan reflects her campaign’s focus on critical battleground states in the “blue wall” that includes Pennsylvania. As the November election approaches, both Harris and Trump are vying to sway voters in these key regions. Meanwhile, Trump faces additional challenges as he deals with ongoing legal battles, including a federal case related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
In a telling moment during the rally, Cheney referenced her father, Dick Cheney, and another former Republican vice president, Mike Pence, praising Pence’s decision to uphold the election results despite Trump’s pressure to overturn them. The crowd cheered references to both men, a reflection of the complex political dynamics at play. Cheney’s presence, despite her conservative values, signals a broader call for unity among voters to reject Trump’s influence.
The event also highlighted the evolving role of Republicans like Cheney, who have chosen to break with the majority of their party to stand against Trump. Cheney’s political career took a hit after she lost her Wyoming congressional seat to a Trump-endorsed candidate in 2022, but she remains a key voice in the anti-Trump movement. For Harris, Cheney’s endorsement is part of a broader effort to appeal to Republicans, independents, and former Trump voters who are troubled by Trump’s actions and rhetoric.
Cheney’s criticism of Trump was pointed. She reminded the crowd that Trump “praised the rioters” on January 6, and urged voters to reject his “depraved cruelty.” In an emotional plea, Cheney asked the audience to “meet this moment” by standing up for the truth and democracy.
The rally also drew attention to a growing group of Republicans who have distanced themselves from Trump, including former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who recently endorsed Harris. Hutchinson, like Cheney, gained national prominence for her testimony before the January 6 committee, where she expressed horror at Trump’s refusal to intervene during the insurrection.
As Harris continues her campaign, she is positioning herself as the candidate who can restore democratic norms and bring together a divided country. Her outreach to voters across party lines, exemplified by her partnership with Cheney, signals her commitment to addressing the concerns of both Democrats and disillusioned Republicans.
For some attendees, Cheney’s presence was a surprise, given her conservative background and family’s political legacy. However, others, particularly younger voters, saw Cheney as a moral voice who chose to prioritize the country over her party. “She stuck to her morals,” said Kynaeda Gray, 22, reflecting the sentiment shared by many at the rally.
As the 2024 election nears, the unlikely alliance between Harris and Cheney highlights the shifting political landscape in America, where traditional party lines are being redrawn in the fight to preserve democracy.
