Former President Donald Trump met with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) at his Palm Beach, Florida club Mar-a-Lago on Thursday afternoon. This was the first meeting between the two since McCarthy said on the House floor that Trump “bears responsibility” for the Capitol riots on Jan. 6.
Former White House aides and those close to Trump say that the former president has been “livid” with McCarthy after his comments. “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” McCarthy said on the House floor during the debate over Trump’s second impeachment. “He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding. These facts require immediate action by President Trump: accept his share of responsibility, quell the brewing unrest and ensure President-elect Biden is able to successfully begin his term.”
McCarthy has since taken back his remarks telling to reporters last week that he did not believe Trump “provoked” the mob, rather that the former president bears “some responsibility.”
A recent Republican effort to throw out the impeachment charges against Trump was supported by all but five Republican senators. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), who said he believes Trump provoked the mob, voted with those who hoped to throw out the trial. Unlike McCarthy, Trump has not spoken to McConnell since December.
