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.
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.
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.
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.
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?"
@JasonOverstreet/Twitter
Many echoed Warren's sentiments and urged all Democrats to call out Republican lies and hypocrisy whenever they occur.
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.
@jaketapoer/Bluesky
@BillAckman/Twitter