In a rare display of political unity, Vice President Kamala Harris and former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney took to the stage together in Wisconsin to campaign against Donald Trump. Cheney, a lifelong Republican and one of Trump’s most vocal critics within her party, joined Harris to warn voters of the dangers they believe Trump poses to American democracy. As they stood together in Ripon, the birthplace of the Republican Party, their message was clear: democracy is at stake, and partisan lines must be set aside to protect it.
The event was striking not only for the unlikely pairing of Harris, a Democrat, and Cheney, a staunch conservative, but for its significance. Cheney has long been an outspoken opponent of Trump, especially following his refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and his role in the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Her presence alongside Harris signals a growing faction within the Republican Party—often labeled the "Never Trumpers"—that refuses to align with the former president’s ideology and tactics. “Violence must never determine who leads us,” Cheney told the crowd, reinforcing her condemnation of Trump’s actions on that fateful day.
Harris, who is running to secure her spot in the White House, used the event to highlight her appeal to moderate Republicans and independent voters. She echoed Cheney’s sentiments, noting that Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the election undermines the very fabric of the democratic process. Harris told the crowd, “People of every party must stand together to reject Trump,” pointing to the shared responsibility of Americans to protect democratic values over partisan loyalty. The event, filled with signs reading “Country Over Party,” emphasized the urgency of transcending political divisions.
While this collaboration between Harris and Cheney may have seemed improbable just a few years ago, it underscores how deeply the political landscape has shifted in the wake of Trump’s presidency. For Cheney, this partnership is a continuation of her efforts to distance herself from Trump’s influence, even at the cost of her political career. She lost her seat in Congress in 2022 after a Trump-endorsed candidate won the Republican primary in her home state of Wyoming. Her endorsement of Harris, and their joint appearance, signal a significant shift as more Republicans break ranks, rallying around what they see as a defense of democratic principles over party allegiance. This moment marks a critical juncture in U.S. politics, with Trump’s dominance in the GOP increasingly challenged by unlikely allies.
