Behind the scenes, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has been trying to control the impact from the damning and inconsistent talks he had with fellow GOP legislators about then-President Donald Trump in the immediate aftermath of January 6.
Several Republicans have reported that the California Republican spent much of Friday calling other prominent GOP lawmakers and even spoke with Trump on the phone on Thursday night.
And so far, he has managed to keep the peace within the House GOP Conference and prevent a public revolt from his right flank, who could threaten his path to the speakership if Republicans win the House, depending on the size of their potential majority, which his closest advisers are trying to expand in order to avoid any problems.
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Trump Stated his Relationship with McCarthy was Fine
“He placed a call. The call reached me. The phone call was unpleasant for me. The support, however, was swift and overwhelming, as you are well aware (he came here, and we took a picture right there) “Trump told the Journal that McCarthy tried to win back his favour by visiting his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, weeks after January 6.
Trump went on, saying, “I think it’s all a huge compliment, really,” in reference to the Republicans who had condemned him after January 6 but had since altered their tune. When they realised their error, they came around and helped me.
McCarthy, whose office had ignored repeated requests for comment on why he had misled and where he was on Friday, eventually addressed the media about the situation late Friday night, after attending a school ceremony for pupils in California.
McCarthy attempted to defend his remarks by arguing that he had merely been speculating about several outcomes with regards to Trump and was not pushing for any of them.
McCarthy told the press, “On a phone call soon after January 6, Liz Cheney asked me about the 25th Amendment and asked me to explain what else would happen.” “I simply imagined several outcomes and went on from there. The entire event consisted of little more than that. The significance of the phone call is, in my opinion, exaggerated.”
Greene said on Friday in response to Celli’s inquiry, “I have had several people manage my social media account throughout the years.” “I can’t even begin to guess who found that entertaining.”
She insisted that violence was never her intention and that she couldn’t recall discussing the potential for pro-Trump protests to turn violent with politicians or White House officials.
Greene remarked, “I just believe in nonviolent demonstration.” “I’m against any kind of violence.”
Little public condemnation came from House Republicans in the wake of the Times piece, with the exception of conservative firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who has long been unapologetically critical of McCarthy. After the Easter break, Congress may not meet again until the following week.
However, in the wake of the audio, many Republicans have flocked to McCarthy’s defence. To show “how much I value his leadership and friendship” and to assure him that “he has my entire support,” a senior House Republican emailed McCarthy, as was revealed by another member of that caucus.
Conclusion
Freshman Republican Representative Ashley Hinson of Iowa predicted that if the GOP were to regain the majority in the House this November, Kevin McCarthy would likely become the party’s new speaker.