The verbal attack occurred in an interview with conservative journalist Tucker Carlson. It is not the first time the former president has directed hate-filled comments towards former Republican congresswoman Cheney.
She has in turn been very critical of Trump as president, and she led a congressional investigation into the events surrounding the storming of the US Congress in Washington DC on January 6, 2021.
"Mentally deranged person"
In the interview with Carlson, Trump says that Cheney is "a mentally deranged person", reports CNN.
Let her stand there with a rifle and have nine rifle barrels shooting at her. Then we can see how she feels, said Trump.
Liz Cheney is the daughter of the leading Republican politician and former Vice President Dick Cheney. Liz Cheney advocates, among other things, for American interventions in conflict zones.
Cheney was also driving the initiative to launch an impeachment process against Trump, after which she herself lost support for her seat in the House of Representatives.
Cheney responded to Trump's attacks via X:
"We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, evil, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant."
Investigated as death threat
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris criticized Trump's "violent rhetoric":
(Trump) has suggested that rifles should be pointed at former congresswoman Liz Cheney. This must be disqualifying. Someone /.../ who uses such violent words is obviously unfit and incompetent as president.
The Attorney General of Arizona, Democrat Kris Mayes, said on Friday that it will be investigated whether the statement constitutes a "death threat under Arizona law", reports media company NBC.
The interview with Trump took place in Glendale, Arizona, and therefore the state's justice department can investigate the incident.
