Speaking Truth to Power

Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney is a boss. I may not agree with her usual politics, but man has she impressed me this last year.

She seems to be the only major player in the Republican party who has consistently and loudly been willing to condemn Donald Trump’s repeated, brazen attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which culminated in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. In the immediate aftermath of the riot, several Republican members of Congress admonished the then-President for his role in inciting the attack (as well as his impotent response). But now they’re afraid to speak out in any way against Trump.

On last week’s one-year anniversary of the attack, Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, were the only two Republicans willing to attend the observance at the Capitol. What does that say about the partisan divide in Washington?

Speaking truth to power has already cost Liz Cheney her leadership role in the House, and she realizes it could very well cost her a position as a member of Congress altogether this fall when she faces pro-Trump opposition.

Listen to her interview on the Jan. 6, 2022 episode of The New York Times podcast, The Daily – here’s one of my favorite quotes:

“There’s no moment at which I think that you can with good faith say, yes, he’s dangerous to the country. But I’m more worried about my political future. So I’m just going to keep my head down. I don’t know that the Republic, frankly, can long endure if that’s the position elected officials take.”

Let’s all try to be a little more willing to speak truth to power in 2022 in our own lives, even when it’s hard and comes at a cost.

Creator, please grant us courage to stand up for what’s right, even in small ways every day. Help us model a willingness to go against the grain when needed and remind us of our own power to make a difference. Amen.

Amanda is a member of Peace Church. She’s a health enthusiast, lover of historical fiction, and aspiring cool aunt.