GOP Rep. Herrera Beutler confirms contentious Capitol riot call between Trump, McCarthy
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump, confirmed Friday night the contents of a phone call, new details of which were reported by CNN, between Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) while the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was ongoing.
Herrera Beutler released a statement describing the conversation as it was relayed to her by McCarthy and calling on her colleagues, some of whom spoke anonymously to CNN, to come forward "if you have something to add." Herrera clarified that she has already publicly discussed McCarthy's recounting multiple times.
During the call, McCarthy reportedly urged Trump to "publicly and forcefully call off the riot," but Trump reportedly initially replied by claiming that antifa, not his supporters, were behind the breach. When McCarthy reportedly dismissed the idea, Trump reportedly replied, "Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Per CNN, that reportedly sparked a shouting match between the two men, with McCarthy telling the then-president that rioters were breaking into his office through the windows. "Who the f--- do you think you are talking to?," McCarthy asked Trump, CNN reports. Herrera Beutler did not include that detail in her statement.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) tweeted late Saturday night that the newly-resurfaced reports should lead to a suspension of Trump's impeachment trial, so senators can depose McCarthy under oath, but any alterations to the Senate's timetable seem unlikely at this point. Read more at CNN.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A great culture will be lost if the EV brigade gets its way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
South Korea passes law banning sale and production of dog meat
Speed Read Rare bipartisan support 'highlights changing attitudes' as young people shun centuries-old tradition
By The Week UK Published
-
Out of touch: Daryl Hall obtains restraining order against bandmate John Oates
Speed Read Lawsuit reveals unharmonious relationship between most commercially successful duo in pop history
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published