In a Sunday appearance on CNN's State of the Union, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren was asked for a reaction to audio released by The New York Times featuring Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
In a recent Times article, McCarthy was quoted saying even Trump knew he bore some responsibility for the actions of the people who attended Trump’s rally then marched on the Capitol at his urging, then later saying he'd advise Trump to resign.
He was probably bragging, same thing, different motive.— Shane (@Shane) 1650812405
McCarthy vehemently denied the article's claims, prompting The New York Times to release the supporting audio.
Massachusetts Senator Warren minced no words in her reaction to McCarthy's exposed hypocrisy.
Yesterday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren called Kevin McCarthy a \u201cliar\u201d and \u201ctraitor\u201d in response to newly released telephone audio.\n\nOn the call McCarthy blames Trump for 1/6 and notes that he\u2019d ask him to resign. Of course McCarthy denied this.\n\nSo, NYT released the audio right after.— J.P. Spencer (@J.P. Spencer) 1650898059
CNN State of the Union host Dana Bash, after playing the audio, asked Warren:
"You know he's not saying [Trump was responsible] now—what's your reaction?"
Senator Warren responded:
"Kevin McCarthy is a liar and a traitor."
You can see the exchange below.
Elizabeth Warren: "Kevin McCarthy is a liar and a traitor! This is outrageous. And that is really the illness that pervades the Republican leadership right now."pic.twitter.com/AnGVTOqIhl— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1650806245
The Massachusetts Democrat added:
"This is outrageous. And that is really the illness that pervades the Republican leadership right now..."
"...that they say one thing to the American public and something else in private."
Senator Warren stated regarding Republicans:
"They know it is wrong, what happened."
"An attempt to overthrow our government."
"And that the Republicans instead want to continue to try to figure out how to make 2020 election different instead of spending their energy on how it is that we go forward in order to build an economy in order to make this country work better for the people who sent us to Washington."
She concluded, saying:
"Shame on Kevin McCarthy."
In the newly released audio, McCarthy stated he'd advise then Republican President Donald Trump to resign following the January 6 storming of the United States Capitol.
But McCarthy has sung a very different tune in the aftermath of the Capitol riot—attacking members of his own party for criticizing Trump or participating in the House inquiry into the events of and leading up to January 6.
The Times went public with the recordings after McCarthy claimed their article attributing his own words to him was "totally false and wrong."
While well substantiated examples of hypocrisy and doublespeak are not uncommon for the Republican party, people still shared Warren's disgust over the now well established practice among GOP leadership.
I love Elizabeth Warren. She says that kevin mccarthy is "a liar and a traitor". Something we all know but the Republicans continue to support. Power at all costs. The hell with our Democracy. Thanks Senator for speaking out.— American Veteran (@American Veteran) 1650816609
Ain\u2019t just the leadership, Liz. It\u2019s pervasive throughout the party.— BillyBard (@BillyBard) 1650812761
Retweet this if you agree with Elizabeth Warren that Kevin McCarthy is a liar and a traitor.— Kim Mangone (@Kim Mangone) 1650860032
One Twitter user pointed out:
"The worst part of this is after feeling this way & knowing right from wrong, [Republicans] all got together & blocked his impeachment."
"They could have ended this & stopped him from ever running again."
"How do they live with themselves?"
The worst part of this is after feeling this way & knowing right from wrong, they all got together & blocked his impeachment. They could have ended this & stopped him from ever running again. How do they live with themselves?— Erin (@Erin) 1650849742
@JasonOverstreet/Twitter
What is this gremlin talking about? Elizabeth Warren didn\u2019t attack McCarthy. She called him what he is. McCarthy is both a liar and a traitor. Adam Schiff didn\u2019t lie about anything. And McCarthy will never be Speaker.pic.twitter.com/7DvGVCitfv— Andrew Wortman \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Andrew Wortman \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1650863255
Many echoed Warren's sentiments and urged all Democrats to call out Republican lies and hypocrisy whenever they occur.
Elizabeth Warren: "Kevin McCarthy is a liar and a traitor." Right! Call them by their name!— Paul van der Meer (@Paul van der Meer) 1650884998
Sen Warren @ewarren calls out @GOPLeader Kevin \u201ctraitor and liar\u201d McCarthy. Dems must be relentless in calling out the traitors in our government who tried to over their own country because they didn\u2019t like the results and followed #TFG 45** who himself is a traitor and criminalpic.twitter.com/41U6uKCcLe— politicalnash (@politicalnash) 1650889001
Senator Elizabeth Warren:\n"Kevin McCarthy is a liar and a traitor."\nEvery Democrat should be saying this.\nKEVIN MCCARTHY IS A LIAR AND A TRAITOR.— Charles Campisi (@Charles Campisi) 1650892551
Why aren\u2019t all Democrats speaking this way? Seriously. The House minority leader is a shameless liar, and it\u2019s right there for all to see, so why not say so?https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/warren-mccarthy-trump-resignation-january-6\u00a0\u2026— James Gleick (@James Gleick) 1650850732
We need more Elizabeth Warren's standing up and hitting the GOP where they are the weakest.\nTelling the truth is their weak point!\n\nShe calls out McCarthy as a "liar and a traitor" saying he says different things behind his base's back than to their face!\n#VoteBlue \n#FreshWords— We HearVoicesOutThere (@We HearVoicesOutThere) 1650892602
Elizabeth Warren (D) declares the truth about Kevin McCarthy (R) being a traitor and a liar or liar and a traitor! He is both with no good qualities about him. His life is based on deceit just like 99% of the GOP. This treasonous fascist party must be destroyed once and for all!— TRUTHeyeDARE (@TRUTHeyeDARE) 1650827201
Republican leadership is touting McCarthy as a sure thing for Speaker of the House after the 2022 midterm election.
All members of the House of Representatives are up for reelection in November so control of the House could flip if Democratic voters fail to show up at the polls.