By james art 
PHOENIX — Former President Donald Trump thrust one of his most prominent critics into the spotlight last week in Glendale.
Liz Cheney, a former Republican US congresswoman, did not take the stage voluntarily.
Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, drew attention to her by calling her a “war hawk.”
What were Liz Cheney’s Trump comments?
He also said Cheney should have nine guns “pointed at her face” on the campaign trail Thursday.
“That was the first time he added violent imagery about nine guns shooting me in the face,” Cheney said KTAR 92.3 FM News is candid with Bruce and Gaydos on Monday.
She said the escalation of violent rhetoric reflects how unfit he is for the Oval Office.
“What you’re seeing is someone who is increasingly restless and desperate,” Cheney said.
What led to Liz Cheney’s Trump comments?
Trump’s controversial rhetoric began when former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson brought up Cheney’s support for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.
Trump then called his fellow Republican a “crazy man.”
Trump also claimed that Cheney couldn’t stand him because she “always wanted to go to war with people.”
“Let’s put her with the rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her,” Trump said. “Okay, let’s see how she feels. You know, when the guns are pointed at her face.
His words may have violated state law, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which is investigating his comments.
What Impact Could Liz Cheney’s Trump Comments Have?
“He’s doing it to threaten,” Cheney said. “He’s doing it to try to intimidate.”
She encouraged voters to analyze his behavior before voting in the 2024 presidential election.
“The American people are watching what he’s doing, watching him end this campaign with reckless rhetoric and anger and suggestions and threats of violence,” Cheney said. “That’s certainly not what we want from a president.”
Why is Liz Cheney, a Republican, supporting Kamala Harris, a Democrat?
Cheney said her former self would be surprised to learn that in 2024 she is endorsing Harris.
“But I’m really, really proud to be part of this really broad bipartisan coalition that supports her,” Cheney said.
Patriotism is more important than partisanship, she added.
“It’s far more important to uphold the constitution than to play partisan politics,” Cheney said.
It’s possible Harris could even give a seat to a Republican in her cabinet, she added.
“She is totally committed — in a way that is truly unprecedented — to making sure that every voice at the table is represented,” Cheney said. “We really need a president who reflects the goodness of our country.
Liz Cheney praises Arizona election officials
Cheney said he suspects Trump and his allies will try to claim the election was rigged or stolen if Harris wins.
“He’s done it before. Certainly all of you in Arizona were at the heart of it,” Cheney said.
However, she expressed her admiration for many of Arizona’s election officials, such as Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer.
“There are really tremendous public servants, people like Stephen Reacher, over there in Arizona who have just done a remarkable job of providing transparency as the votes come in,” Cheney said. “It’s really important for Arizona and for all Americans to find sources of information they know they can rely on and trust.”