(John McCann, Headline USA) House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has found himself in hot water with the GOP base once again. The Republican from California is dealing with leaked quotes that purportedly reveal that he privately advocated for the resignation of former President Donald Trump.
These private statements have been revealed by two New York Times reporters in their upcoming book, “This will not Pass.”
The statements purportedly show a great schism between the former president and congressional GOP leadership, but Trump appears confident that he is the true leader of the party.
When asked why McCarthy would pretend to be tough on him in private, Trump surmises that McCarthy has an “inferiority complex,” reported the Gateway Pundit.
McCarthy has called the allegations “totally false,” but doubt remains.
McCarthy’s situation deteriorated further as audio leaks provided more evidence of his true feelings. These leaks seemed to reveal that Trump was not the only person McCarthy was hoping to oust or discredit. One of his targets appeared to be Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida.
The audio leaks caught McCarthy and House Minority whip Steve Scalise discussing whether Gaetz’s actions post-Jan. 6 warranted legal consequences, according to BizPac Review.
McCarthy also wondered out loud if Gaetz’s Twitter account could be suspended for inciting violence against his peers, especially former GOP conference leader, Liz Cheney.
The fallout from McCarthy’s statements could jeopardize his chances of ascending to the Speakership after the November elections. Republicans are heavily favored to regain the chamber, but many in the GOP caucus, including Gaetz, are pushing for a change in leadership.
Gaetz has stated that Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan would be an ideal candidate, but McCarthy still has loyal allies within the GOP, reported the Daily Caller.
.@jim_Jordan is the hardest working and most talented member of the Republican House Conference.
And every member knows it. https://t.co/VO7tQ4O9kW
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) April 23, 2022
Rodney Davis of Illinois and Nancy Mace of South Carolina seemed stalwart in their defense of the minority leader, but it is worth noting that both are facing strong, Trump-backed primary challengers.
While McCarthy is a strong fundraiser for the party, the ramifications of these leaked statements and the potential loss of key allies due to primaries, may sink his chances at the gavel come January 2023.
