Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney is among the Republicans that have or still are drawing the ire of former President Donald Trump including his allies in Congress. This week, Cheney was voted out of her leadership position by her caucus.
Cheney was ousted from her position as the Republican Conference Chair this week through a voice vote, according to people familiar with the matter. The vote puts an end to the months of backlash against the Wyoming lawmaker over her criticism of Trump, especially after the January 6 insurrection. Cheney was among the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach the now-former president.
Despite the growing backlash over her criticism of Trump, Cheney doubled down on her reasons for speaking out against the former president. This was also the second attempt by pro-Trump House Republicans to remove her from her leadership position. Back in February, the Republican caucus cast a secret vote that ended in 145-61 in Cheney’s favor.
Cheney’s removal from her leadership position is another sign of the former president’s grip over the Republican Party. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise have both voiced support for her removal. Both McCarthy and Scalise have voiced their support for New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who also received the former president’s endorsement for the position.
In her last speech as conference chair, Cheney blasted the Republican Party for leaning towards authoritarianism and that the former president’s baseless election fraud claims pose a threat. Prior to her removal, Cheney announced that she plans on running for re-election in 2022.
Meanwhile, Cheney remained defiant of her colleagues that have chosen to embrace the rhetoric of the former president. Speaking to the press after the vote, Cheney said she plans on moving the party forward and pledged to keep Trump from winning another term as president.
“I will do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office. We have seen the dagger he continues to provoke with his language. We have seen the lack of commitment and dedication to the Constitution and I think it’s very important that we make sure whomever we elect is somebody who will be faithful to the Constitution,” said Cheney.
