House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday defended himself to fellow Republican lawmakers meeting for the first time after a New York Times report showed him criticizing then-President Donald Trump in the frenzied days after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
McCarthy, a California Republican, said his reported comments and the tapes backing them up lack context and are part of an attempt to assuage conservative hard-liners dissatisfied with his leadership.
McCarthy has been under fire for nearly a week week after forcefully denying that he floated calling on Trump to resign following the breach at the Capitol. McCarthy is in line to become House speaker if Republicans win the majority in the 2022 midterm elections.
LEAKED TRUMP IMPEACHMENT TAPE PUTS MCCARTHY IN BIND AS HE CHASES SPEAKER’S GAVEL
On Wednesday, McCarthy “gave a full-throated defense” of his comments, according to two sources in the room. He told House Republicans that they “need to talk about every scenario out there” about the former president’s future. McCarthy also suggested the tape was deceptively cut. He then called on colleagues to unify ahead of the midterm election cycle.
His remarks were largely well received by members, who gave him a standing ovation. Lawmakers emerged from the meeting asserting they believe he still has the support of the conference.
“There’s no problem. He’s going be the next speaker,” Rep. Roger Williams of Texas said.
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To win a House majority, Republicans need to net at least five seats in the 435-member chamber. The speaker’s election takes place among the entire House, meaning McCarthy would need 218 votes to become speaker.
