President Biden on Wednesday expressed confusion over the infighting in the House Republican caucus that has put Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on the verge of being ousted from leadership.
“I don’t understand the Republicans,” Biden told reporters as he exited a Washington, D.C., restaurant as part of a visit to highlight the benefits of a $1.9 trillion economic relief law.
Biden’s comments are his first on the drama playing out across Pennsylvania Avenue, where House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), along with many rank-and-file Republican lawmakers, are moving to oust Cheney for continuing to speak out against former President Trump for his false claims the 2020 election was stolen and over his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Trump on Wednesday endorsed Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) to replace Cheney in the House GOP leadership should the caucus vote to remove Cheney or should she step down.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday said the administration would remain focused on its agenda and on finding common ground with Republicans when possible.
“The Republican Party seems to be spending a lot of blood, sweat and tears trying to figure out where they stand and what they stand for, and that’s their prerogative,” Psaki said.
“But our focus is on — and how we’re spending our time is on — defeating the pandemic, growing our economy, building on that for the long run,” she continued. “And it’s no secret that the president doesn’t see eye to eye on many policies with Congresswoman Cheney, but his view is that the American people elected him, and also many people representing Congress — representing them in Congress to solve problems for them. And he’s going to continue to seek civility even when he disagrees.”