“When in our democratic republic, forces of conspiracy, division, and despotism arise, it is the patriotic duty of citizens to act collectively in defense of liberty and justice,” reads the preamble of a statement which was shared with the New York Times. The signers are reputed to include former governors Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania and Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey as will former Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters and former Representatives Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Barbara Comstock of Virginia, Reid Ribble of Wisconsin and Mickey Edwards of Oklahoma. They seek to loosen the stranglehold of former President Donald Trump on the party, as evidenced by the vote this week to strip Representative Liz Cheney of her rank because she continues to insist the 2020 elections were fair and without fraud.