House Republican Conference members ignored leader Kevin McCarthy last week when he warned them not to criticize their intelligence-based colleagues that doing so could lead to more political violence.
Why it’s important: McCarthy made it clear that brazen opponents, instead of explaining complaints in more general terms, can put a literal goal on a politician, especially with such high tensions after the January 6 events.
This is what happened to Rep. Liz Cheney, the president of the GOP conference, after saying she would support the removal of President Trump.
- She and several other members had to increase their safety and take extra precautions due to death threats and other alarming warnings after their comrades distinguished them in their complaints.
What McCarthy said: The leader of the House minority issued his warning during a conference call last Monday. He said his concern was motivated by the FBI briefings he receives.
- “It doesn’t matter which side of the position I was on: I respect it, I respect why you did what you did. But what we say on TV, when we say a member’s name … It’s not the time to do it “.
- “You can incite something else. The country is very divided and we know it. We don’t put any members, I don’t care who they are Republicans, Democrats or anyone who doesn’t even in Congress. Watch our words closely. I have these reports “I’ve seen something I’ve never seen before.”
Several minutes later, McCarthy repeated the message: “Emotions are high. What you say is important. We do not endanger other people. Let’s see what words we use and we will definitely not use the names of other members in any media. “
Days later, some GOP members ignored him and openly criticized his colleagues
- Representative Adam Kinzinger he tweeted the name of his Republican colleague, Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene, “will be forgotten next January.”
- Rep. Lauren Boebart (R-Colo.) Mocked President Nancy Pelosi over the House’s new mask fines.
One of the most egregious attacks, which sparked a media firestorm, was when several members of the House Freedom Caucus went after Cheney to vote to accuse Trump.
- On the day of the vote, members distributed a petition to remove her from her leadership role.
- Cheney is now making a series of threats against her, many of Trump’s ardent supporters enraged by his vote, said a source with direct knowledge of the threat.
- “We don’t comment on security issues,” Cheney communications director Jeremy Adler told Axios.
What we are hearing: McCarthy’s team told Axios he is not looking for repercussions. Spokesman Matt Sparks said the leader wants to lower the temperature and encourages members to consider the current environment.