WASHINGTON — Newly revealed recordings of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy saying he would urge then-President Donald Trump to resign from office in the initial aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection sparked much political heat but so far appears not to threaten the California Republican’s hold on power nor his relationship with former president.
Trump and McCarthy, R-Calif., spoke Thursday night, according to a person familiar with the call, who said the ex-president wasn’t mad about McCarthy’s comments.
If Republican reaction to the recording remains muted, McCarthy looks to have good odds of maintaining a firm grip on winning the speaker’s gavel should the party retake control of the House after the November election, observers said. But his private comments will probably come up in a conference meeting next week after members return from a recess and could inspire new challengers.
