House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA.) claims he knows who recorded him in the leaked phone call audio where he criticizes former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
McCarthy made the revelations to Politico, saying that at some point he would release his findings.
Without divulging much about the situation, McCarthy told Politico, “I know who recorded it. I know who recorded me,” adding, “I’ll bring it forward. I have it.”
The recording McCarthy is referring to is an audio clip leaked by the New York Times in April while promoting an upcoming book.
In the recording of the Jan. 10 conference call among some of his House Republican colleagues, McCarthy said he would recommend Trump resign in the aftermath of Jan. 6, as the Democratic-controlled House would be moving to impeach the former president.
In response to a question from Rep. Liz Cheney regarding what Trump would do, McCarthy — a longtime Trump ally —said, “The only discussion I would have with him is that I think this will pass, and it would be my recommendation you should resign.”
But McCarthy also expresses reservations that Trump would heed his recommendation, saying, “that would be my take, but I don’t think he would take it.”
In other leaked recordings of the call, McCarthy’s stance on Trump is harsher, as he expresses frustration with the then-President.
“I’ve had it with this guy. What he did is unacceptable. Nobody can defend that, and nobody should defend it,” McCarthy says.
In a separate call with more of his Republican colleagues, McCarthy claims Trump takes “responsibility” for his words and actions.
“But let me be very clear to all of you, and I’ve been very clear to the president: He bears responsibility for his words and actions,” the House Minority Leader says.
He continues, “No ifs, ands or buts. I asked him personally today, does he hold responsibility for what happened? Does he feel bad about what happened?”
