Days after Trump supporters he stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told his fellow Republican House members that then-President Donald Trump had pleaded guilty to the deadly attack, according to the audio recently published.
“He told me he had some responsibility for what happened. And he has to admit it,” McCarthy told a private conference between Republican lawmakers.
But earlier this year, McCarthy told reporters he did not remember receiving that phone call.
“I’m not sure what call you’re talking about,” the House top Republican told a news conference on Jan. 13.
Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns, New York Times reporters and authors of the upcoming book, “This Will Not Pass,” have released a series of clips of McCarthy’s phone calls with fellow Republicans in the days following the uprising.
In another call, McCarthy expressed his frustration with Mr. Trump.
“I’ve had it with this guy,” McCarthy said. “What he did is unacceptable. No one can defend it, and no one should defend it.”
McCarthy said in another call that yes considering calling for Trump’s resignation.
“It would be my recommendation that you resign. I mean that would be my opinion, but I don’t think I would accept it,” she told Congresswoman Liz Cheney in a January 10, 2021 call.
Prior to the release of the tapes, McCarthy denied ever recommending that Trump resign. McCarthy’s office did not respond to requests for comment, but said in a statement Friday night that “I never asked the president to resign.”
Several members of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack told CBS News that they had been looking for an interview with McCarthy for some time. They said the audio shows that McCarthy could shed light on Trump’s mindset.
“I think it’s very important for Kevin McCarthy to have evidence that the former president admitted to being responsible for that attack on the Capitol. That’s an admission of guilt on the part of the former president,” said Democrat MP Adam Schiff , on CBS News.
“The reports of what the president said, which he understood to be responsible, are an awareness of his guilt. And it is an important element in bringing together all the facts relating to January 6,” said Democratic MP Zoe Lofgren.
A summons to the Republican House leader could spark a legal dispute, but time is running out and the committee expects to have public hearings next month.
“Audiences will tell a story that will really blow up the roof of the house,” said Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin.
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