President Trump admitted Monday that he is at least partially guilty of what happened in the United States US Capitol Last Wednesday.
That’s according to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who spoke Monday with the president and later conveyed Mr. Trump’s feelings to his Republicans.
Several Republicans familiar with the exchanges confirmed the details to CBS News.
The call between the president and the top Republican in the House came on the same day that Trump met face-to-face in the oval office with Vice President Pence for the first time since the deadly siege, during which protesters were heard who sang, “Hang Mike Pence!”
Dissemination to senior Republicans comes when the House is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a resolution asking Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment with Cabinet secretaries to remove the incumbent president. If Pence and the Cabinet do not, the House is expected to vote on an indictment against Trump on Wednesday, making him responsible for having incited the crowd that stormed the Capitol, leaving five people death.
While many Republicans in Congress have expressed opposition to accusing Trump a second time, including McCarthy, a handful of Republican senators have indicated they are open to dismissal charges or have called on the president to resign before his term expires. January 20th.
McCarthy explained the details of his call with the president to other Republicans during a conference call Monday later, people familiar with the exchange reported.
In a letter sent to House Republicans and obtained by CBS News, McCarthy wrote that he is opposed to the impeachment, and wrote that “it would have the opposite effect of reuniting our country when we need to reclaim America on a path to unity and civility. “
He said conference members had recommended other avenues to address the Capitol riots on Wednesday, including the creation of a bipartisan commission to study the attack, reforming the Electoral Count Act of 1887 and drafting legislation to “promote voter confidence in future federal elections.”
The other option McCarthy mentioned was a censorship resolution, though he did not say who would be censored. The letter did not mention Trump’s name.
McCarthy also reiterated to fellow Republicans in the House that he also believes the president has some responsibility for the crowd and the assault on the Capitol.
The House leader was among many Republicans who spoke with the president during Wednesday’s assault and asked him to override his supporters and send military aid to quell the unrest.
Kimberly Brown contributed to the reports.