Trump news – live: Cheney labels Trump ‘enemy of the Constitution’ after he calls for ‘terminating’ it

Rep Liz Cheney, a bold and often critic of Donald Trump, struck out at the one-term president on Sunday night after he made the controversial proposal that the Constitution be terminated over his lie that the 2020 election was stolen.

“Donald Trump believes we should terminate “all rules, regulations and articles, even those found in the Constitution” to overturn the 2020 election,” tweeted Ms Cheney, the vice chairwoman of the 6 January committee investigating the violent insurrection on the Capitol. “That was his view on 1/6 and remains his view today. No honest person can now deny that Trump is an enemy of the Constitution.”

Former national security adviser John Bolton, who served under Donald Trump before the two fell out, demanded “all real conservatives” to “oppose” his presidential bid after the former president demanded termination of the constitution.

“No American conservative can agree with Donald Trump’s call to suspend the Constitution because of the results of the 2020 election,” he tweeted. “And all real conservatives must oppose his 2024 campaign for president.”

Adam Kinzinger, one of the few Republicans to vote to impeach Trump for inciting the attack on the US Capitol last year, said that now “not a single conservative can legitimately support him,” adding, “This is insane.”

“With the former President calling to throw aside the constitution, not a single conservative can legitimately support him, and not a single supporter can be called a conservative,” he tweeted.

“This is insane. Trump hates the constitution.”

Republicans are under attack from Democrats over former president Donald Trump’s remarks about the “termination” of the constitution.

Representative Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, said Mr Trump had “openly declared himself an enemy of the Constitution, and Republicans must repudiate him”.

“Days after Trump dined with men who praise Hitler and the Nazis, he demands the ‘termination’ of the constitution’s electoral process so he can be illegally reinstated,” Mr Beyer said, referring to the antisemitic comments by rapper formerly known as Kanye West.

“Trump’s words and actions are unacceptable, they stoke hatred and political violence, and they are dangerous,” the Democratic representative added.

“Every Member of Congress swore an oath to ‘defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.’ Donald Trump has openly declared himself an enemy of the constitution, and Republicans must repudiate him.

“You cannot remain loyal to the United States and the ideals on which this country was founded while supporting open subversion of the constitution. This is a basic test of patriotism,” he said.

Congressman Ted Lieu cornered minority House leader Kevin McCarthy over president Donald Trump’s “anti-American and fascist” remarks.

“Dear GOPLeader: Remember your blockbuster, visionary idea of reading the Constitution from the Floor of the House? You should make sure the man you kowtow to, Donald Trump, watches,” he tweeted tagging Mr McCarthy.

“Oh and are you going to say anything about Trump’s anti-American and fascist proposal?”

Responding to Donald Trump’s remark calling for the suspension of the constitution to overturn the 2020 election, the White House has said that you “cannot only love America when you win”.

“The constitution brings the American people together – regardless of party – and elected leaders swear to uphold it,” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said.

“Attacking the constitution and all it stands for is anathema to the soul of our nation, and should be universally condemned.”

Representative-elect Mike Lawler is among those objecting to the remarks made by Mr Trump calling for the “termination” of the parts of the constitution – with Mr Lawler saying Americans “are tired of looking backwards”.

“Obviously, I don’t support that,” Mr Lawler said on CNN. “The constitution is set for a reason, to protect the rights of every American. And so I certainly don’t endorse that language or that sentiment.

“People are tired of discussing the grievances of prior elections… They want to know what we’re going to do to address the challenges,” said the incoming GOP representative.

“I think the former president would be well-advised to focus on the future, if he is going to run for president again.”

Republican representative Mike Turner said he “vehemently” disagrees and “absolutely” condemns remarks made by Donald Trump calling for “termination” of parts of the constitution over his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

“There is a political process that has to go forward before anybody is a frontrunner or anybody is even the candidate for the party,” Mr Turner said.

“I believe that people certainly are going to take into consideration a statement like this as they evaluate a candidate.”

Slamming Donald Trump for his disregard for rules “found in the constitution” Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer labelled him a “danger” to American democracy.

“He’s calling for an end to America’s constitutional democracy,” said Mr Schumer. “He’s out of control and a danger to our democracy.”

Former president Donald Trump faced rebuke after he called for the “termination” of parts of the constitution over his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

Mr Trump, who announced last month that he is running again for president, made the claim over the weekend on his Truth Social media platform.

“A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,” wrote the twice-impeached president. “Our great ‘Founders’ did not want, and would not condone, False & Fraudulent Elections!”

Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries yesterday described Mr Trump’s statement as strange and extreme and said Republicans will have to make a choice whether to continue embracing Trump’s anti-democratic views.

Republicans are going to have to work out their issues with the former president and decide whether they’re going to break from him and return to some semblance of reasonableness or continue to lean in to the extremism, not just of Trump, but Trumpism