'Unquestioning loyalty': Elise Stefanik’s 'outrageous' antics show desire to be Trump’s running mate

When Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-New York) was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014, she had a reputation for being a traditional "pro-business conservative" along the lines of 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and the late Rep. Jack Kemp (R-New York). Stefanik was on the right, but not the far right — and she was critical of Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign.

But Stefanik has since flip-flopped in a major way, giving herself a far-right ultra-MAGA makeover that CNN pundit S.E. Cupp, a Never Trump conservative, slammed as "disgraceful," "craven" and "shameless" in 2021. Stefanik's willingness to defend the January 6, 2021 insurrection, Cupp lamented, shows how much of a "disgrace" she has become.

Stefanik unapologetically defended the rioters during a recent interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker, describing them as the "January 6 hostages" — a defense that, according to The Guardian's Margaret Sullivan, underscores her desire to be Donald Trump's running mate in the 2024 presidential election.

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In an opinion column published by The Guardian on January 12, Sullivan explains, "Last weekend, Stefanik had a star turn on NBC's 'Meet the Press' in which she provided one of those quotes that goes 'round the world for its sheer outrageousness. She echoed Donald Trump's sympathetic characterization of those who are being prosecuted for storming the U.S. Capitol, in some cases assaulting police officers…. And when asked whether she'd like to be Donald Trump's running mate — and potentially the next vice-president of the United States — Stefanik didn't exactly turn away in disgust."

Stefanik, Sullivan warns, has a "quality" that "really wins points with" Trump and "every mob boss" — a "vociferous, unquestioning loyalty" and "being willing to do what's necessary."

"Compare Stefanik's situation to that of former Republican congresswoman: Liz Cheney of Wyoming — not long ago a leading figure in the House of Representatives," Sullivan aruges. "In fact, she was the chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, succeeded by none other than Stefanik…. For the past few years, Cheney has made it her business to try to hold Trump accountable…. That Stefanik is a rising star — and Liz Cheney a pariah — says it all about Republican politics today."

READ MORE: Harvard professor: Elise Stefanik only 'cares about winning political points' and 'should be ashamed'

Read Margaret Sullivan's full column for The Guardian at this link.