Trump Knocks McCarthy’s ‘Foolish’ Move To Yank GOP Picks From Jan. 6 Committee

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 04: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speaks as he joined by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) (L) in the Rose Garden of the White House on January 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. Trump hosted both Democr... WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 04: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speaks as he joined by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) (L) in the Rose Garden of the White House on January 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. Trump hosted both Democratic and Republican lawmakers at the White House for the second meeting in three days as the government shutdown heads into its third week. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Former President Trump jabbed House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-CA) decision to yank all five of his GOP picks for the Jan. 6 Select Committee last year.

In an interview with conservative radio host Wayne Allyn Root, the former president heaped praise onto Jordan and Banks for doing his bidding of pushing the Big Lie.

Trump then complained about the “bad decision” made by McCarthy that jeopardized GOP representation on the Jan. 6 Select Committee. Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) are the only Republicans who serve on the committee investigating the events surrounding Jan. 6.

“This committee, it was a bad decision not to have representation on that committee,” Trump said. “That was a very, very foolish decision because they try to pretend like they’re legit, and only when you get into the inner workings you say ‘what kind of a thing is this?’ Just a one-sided witch hunt.”

McCarthy’s move came after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) rejected two out of five of the minority leader’s picks over their votes against certifying Joe Biden’s electoral victory: Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Jim Banks (R-IN). All five of McCarthy’s picks voted against impeaching Trump for “incitement of insurrection.”

Shortly after Pelosi rejected two of his picks, McCarthy swiftly withdrew his other picks altogether from the committee.

Notably, Trump’s swipe at McCarthy comes as the minority leader seeks another term in Congress. Earlier this month, the former president endorsed McCarthy’s re-election — but stopped short of indicating whether he endorses McCarthy for Speaker if the GOP retakes the House in the midterm elections.

During his interview with Root, the former president made clear that he has not endorsed McCarthy for Speaker.

“No, I haven’t,” Trump said. “No, I endorsed him in his race, but I haven’t endorsed anyone for Speaker.”

Watch Trump’s remarks below:

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Ummm, who told him to do it? Because I’m thinking that guy is the bigger fool.

    ETA: This is honestly the most hilarious thing in the world. We all know McCarthy was doing Trump’s bidding when he pulled his people from the Committee and yet here’s Trump throwing McCarthy directly under that bus and then running him over. When will they learn that nothing is ever enough. There’s no amount of complimenting and appeasing that will ever be enough to save them from his wrath.

  2. The Art of the Flail.

  3. I’m sure you’re right there. And lord g-d amighty, I am sick of this lout who thinks he’s the king. And kingmaker.

    "I endorsed him in his race, but I haven’t endorsed anyone for Speaker.” :face_vomiting: :face_vomiting: :face_vomiting:

  4. If the GOP retakes The House in this Fall’s election, Chiselin’ Trump will want to be the Speaker, himself.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

161 more replies

Participants

Avatar for ajm Avatar for dr_coyote Avatar for pluckyinky Avatar for mondfledermaus Avatar for bobatkinson Avatar for rollinnolan Avatar for teenlaqueefa Avatar for irasdad Avatar for inversion Avatar for sparrowhawk Avatar for danny Avatar for 26degreesrising Avatar for tao Avatar for darrtown Avatar for brian512 Avatar for rhs1963 Avatar for katscherger Avatar for karlwlewis Avatar for greenman66 Avatar for jwbuho Avatar for eaharrison Avatar for zenicetus Avatar for old_guru Avatar for john_adams

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: