Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has said the Republican Party has avoided a disaster by voting to keep Congresswoman Liz Cheney as House Republican Conference chair.
Bolton, who served as NSA under former President Donald Trump, took to Twitter after the House GOP voted 145 to 61 against a motion calling for Cheney to step down.
Cheney, who represents Wyoming's at-large congressional district, had faced pressure from some of her party colleagues to resign after she voted to impeach Trump.
"I'm pleased @Liz_Cheney will retain her leadership post & the GOP will avert a disaster," Bolton said on Thursday.
"We can't follow those who shout the loudest or stage angry rallies for attention. Attacks against Republicans simply based on their disagreements about Trump must end."
Bolton had previously expressed support for Cheney. He served as U.S. ambassador to the UN in 2005/6 under former President George W. Bush. At the time, Cheney's father Dick Cheney was vice president.
"I am grateful to see @team_mitch supporting @Liz_Cheney," Bolton tweeted on Tuesday. "It's time for other Republicans to end their silence and speak up as well. We can't surrender our party to conspiracy theorists. Let's focus our energy on the challenges that lay ahead."
I'm pleased @Liz_Cheney will retain her leadership post & the GOP will avert a disaster. We can't follow those who shout the loudest or stage angry rallies for attention. Attacks against Republicans simply based on their disagreements about Trump must end. https://t.co/NNXXwJ3CKp
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) February 4, 2021
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had come out in support of Cheney as she faced opposition in the House. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Republican whip Steve Scalise also publicly backed her.
"It takes a lot of courage to stand up and vote your convictions. Instead of attacking Republicans like @Liz_Cheney for their views on Trump, we should focus on the hard work ahead," Bolton said on January 31. "Enough with the circular firing squads and staging angry rallies for media attention."
Bolton had also praised Cheney for introducing bills aimed at blocking President Joe Biden's executive orders on oil, gas and coal extraction on federal lands, urging Republicans to "get to work & stop with the circular firing squads."
Cheney was one of just 10 GOP members of the House to join Democrats and vote in favor of impeaching Trump. During the meeting that decided her future, she was subjected to "four hours of blistering criticism", according to Congressman Peter Meijer.
"We addressed this as a family, addressed this as a team and ultimately finally worked to have a vote to keep the entire team together and ultimately kept the team much stronger," McCarthy said following the vote.
"Because while we aired those grievances, everyone tonight was united," he said.
