Top GOP Lawyer in House Told Mike Johnson His Attempt to Keep Trump in Power Was ‘Wildly Unconstitutional,’ Cheney Book Claims

Rachel Maddow interviewed former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) on Monday night, teeing up the appearance by reading a series of excerpts from the ex-lawmaker’s new book.

One anecdote involves Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) efforts to keep Donald Trump in power after losing the 2020 election. Johnson, who was a backbencher at the time, recruited other House Republicans to sign on to a lawsuit in which Trump sought to have the election results overturned in his favor.

(As Maddow read the relevant excerpt from Oath and Honor, a different passage appeared on the screen, so it is difficult to know in some cases which words are Cheney’s and which remarks are Maddow’s asides.)

“We learn on page 76 – the day before January 6th[, 2021], Kevin McCarthy’s general counsel – the top lawyer for the top Republican in the House – told Congressman Mike Johnson that the effort that he was organizing to get House Republicans to sign on to Trump’s effort to overthrown the election was an effort that was ‘wildly unconstitutional in its basis,'” Maddow quoted Cheney.

“Later that night I heard from Kevin McCarthy’s chief counsel, Machalagh Carr,” Maddow continued, quoting directly. “She told me she had made clear to Mike Johnson that his letter was wrong, and that he knew it was.”

After losing the election, Trump pressured members of Congress to vote against certifying the election results. He also initiated a pressure campaign on Republican officials in states he lost.

Johnson was elected speaker in October after a handful of Republicans helped orchestrate Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.

Watch above via MSNBC.