House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), denies saying he would recommend former President Donald Trump resign after the Capitol riot. A Thursday report in The New York Times included an excerpt of a recorded telephone conversation that seems to contradict the minority leader.
The only two voices heard on the audio, covering almost two minutes, belong to McCarthy and Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).
Discussion initially centers around use of the Constitution’s 25th Amendment — a mechanism other than impeachment for removing a president from office. The converstaion turns to asking then-president Trump to resign in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, riot.
“Is there any chance, are you hearing, that he might resign?” Cheney asked McCarthy about Trump’s thoughts. “Is there any reason to think that might happen?”
“I’ve had some discussions,” replied McCarthy. “My gut tells me no.” The minority leader added he had not talked with Trump in the days before their conversation. “I’m seriously thinking of having that conversation with him tonight.”
McCarthy said that from what he knew of the 45th president, it seemed unlikely Trump would ever back away. He addressed the others in the conversation by asking if they had a different take on Trump.
So, even though Cheney and McCarthy’s voices were the only ones heard on the audio published in the report, McCarthy’s words make it clear he is talking with a group of people. That helps lend some cover to Rep. Cheney who reportedly denied recording or leaking the conversation to media members.
“What I think I’m going to do is, I’m going to call him,” McCarthy continued. He added his opinion that the articles of impeachment against Trump would pass the House of Representatives, and there was a chance it might have passed in the Senate, even if he was gone.
The top House Republican explained he had not discussed with House Democrats what would happen if Trump resigned.
“I don’t want to get into any conversations about a possible Pence pardon,” McCarthy said. “The only conversation I would have with him is that I think this will pass.”
“And, it would be my recommendation [he] should resign.”
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
