#Letters to the Editor — May 13, 2021

The Issue: House Republicans’ vote to remove Rep. Liz Cheney from her leadership position.

What are these Republicans thinking (“Mc­Carthy boosting Stefanik,” May 10)?

Some of their comments about the 2020 election and, more importantly, COVID and the vaccines, are off the wall.

Why do they think something is wrong with Rep. Liz Cheney just because she criticized former President Donald Trump?

A growing number of level-headed GOP members are turning away from his vitriol, especially after the fiasco at the Capitol. Many Americans who supported Trump turned away because of his reactions during the pandemic.

Wake up, GOP: You’re losing it.

Sam King

Manhattan

Good-bye, Liz. You might be conservative, but you lack common sense.

You know that Joe Biden was a failed, 47-year politician, and his campaign was a joke. He picked the worst, most liberal vice president in history.

Democratic Party voters didn’t want Joe during the primary until Rep. James Clyburn dragged Biden over the finish line in South Carolina.

All of former President Donald Trump’s successful, pro-America policies are quickly disappearing, making America last.

The “big lie” is when Biden said he’ll be a uniter and instead has been the most un-American, socialist puppet ever to occupy the White House.

JR Cummings

Manhattan

By removing Cheney from her House GOP leadership position, Republicans have concluded the redefining of what it truly means to be a Republican.

More and more, they have become the party of hypocrisy, bigotry, racism and (most important) slayers of the democracy. They downplay Jan. 6, coddle the “big lie” and support the leader of the insurrection against our government.

If the truth will set you free, then Republicans will be trapped in a purgatory of their own creation until they understand that the only way out is to change partners after dancing with the devil for way too long.

Bob Bascelli

Seaford

It is an unfortunate fact of history that leaders who stop catastrophes before they happen usually get no credit (“Cheney’s op-ed DC twist,” May 8).

After reading Juliegrace Brufke’s article on Rep. Liz Cheney’s country-before-career actions these last few months, I began to wonder just how close to the edge our democracy walked during the last election.

Perhaps if Trump had faced less pushback, he really would have found a legal justification for using full powers of the executive branch, including the military, to challenge and ultimately deny the legitimacy of election results.

Perhaps the letter Cheney helped put together from 10 former secretaries of defense, warning military personnel that they would be held legally accountable for any election-interfering activities, really did help keep the military on the sidelines during the nation’s election disputes.

If so, Cheney deserves a medal, not a demotion.

Zephyr Dorsey

Iowa City, Iowa

The American nation was formed on principles. Two of the most important were free speech and representative government.

Our elected officials’ job is to represent the people in their district. They are not supposed to have blind allegiance to a political party.

The current Republican Party is clearly intent on removing any of its members who exhibit the slightest degree of independence.

It does not matter if they come from a family with strong Republican roots, like Cheney or Sen. Mitt Romney.

Alan Podhaizer

Brooklyn

House Republicans voted to demote Liz Cheney, but it’s up to her constituents whether she keeps her House seat in 2022.

And even though I disagree with Cheney’s ranting about Trump, I do believe in free speech. What is good for one is good for all.

JoAnn Lee Frank

Clearwater, Fla.

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy and style.