The explosives clips were released by the New York Times Thursday night and Friday morning as part of an earlier Times report that McCarthy and the Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, initially believed Trump to be responsible for the attack, and both privately expressed anger against him.
McCarthy can be heard answering a question from Republican Representative Liz Cheney, who was in party leadership at the time, in a clip that was a soundbite from a call with House GOP leaders. If Congress passed a 25th amendment resolution, which would make Trump incapable of holding office, Cheney asked McCarthy if he believed Trump would resign.
He said that he is seriously thinking about having that conversation with him tonight. I think the resolution will pass and it is my recommendation that he resigns, and the only discussion that I would have with him is I think he will.
That would be my take, but I don't think he would take it. I don't know. McCarthy can be heard talking about a conversation with Trump in a clip from a 11 January 2021 call, where he asked the former president if he believes he has any responsibility for the attack.
I am very clear to everyone, and I ve been very clear to the president: He bears responsibility for his words and actions. No ifs, and s or but s. I asked him personally today, Does he hold responsibility for what happened? Does he feel bad about what happened? He told me that he does have some responsibility for what happened and he needs to acknowledge that. McCarthy has not responded to the release of the audio clips. A spokesman for Cheney, who was heard on one of the clips, said she did not release the tape and did not know who leaked it.
McCarthy made a blanket denial of the New York Times report saying it was totally false and wrong. It came as no surprise that the corporate media is obsessed with doing everything it can to further the liberal agenda, the statement read. The corporate media is more concerned with profiting from politically motivated political intrigue.
Our country has suffered too much under failed one-party Democrat rule, and no amount of media ignorance and bias will stop Americans from delivering a clear message this fall that it is time for change. The Times story, which comes from the upcoming book This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden and the Battle for America s Future, by reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns, detailed scathing comments against Trump that Republican leaders made in the days after the Capitol insurrection.
McCarthy told colleagues in private: "I have had it with this guy," McCarthy said. Nobody can defend it and nobody should defend it. McConnell reportedly told two of his senior advisers: If this isn't impeachable, I don't know what it is.
McConnell said that the Democrats are going to take care of the son of a bitch for us.
While McConnell publicly criticized Trump for his role in the attack, he voted to acquit the former president in his impeachment trial. He said he would support Trump if he were elected Republican nominee in 2024.
McCarthy made a more complete about-face: he claimed that Trump was unaware of the attack until McCarthy broke the news to him that it was happening. He has condemned the special House committee that is investigating the insurrection and refused to cooperate with its inquiry into conversations he had with Trump after the attack.