- The Republican minority leader in the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, does not want to be questioned by the committee of inquiry into the storming of the US Capitol a year ago.
- McCarthy wrote in a letter describing the committee’s investigation as illegitimate.
- The committee wanted to question McCarthy because he spoke directly to then President Donald Trump during the attack on January 6, 2021.
Nancy Pelosi, as chairman of the House of Representatives, had rejected the Republican members he had named for the body in an unprecedented manner, McCarthy cited as the reason for his refusal. The committee’s sole aim is to harm its political opponents, he added.
Legend:
Kevin McCarthy is the Republican minority leader in the US House of Representatives.
Keystone
In addition to his conversation with Trump, McCarthy had been in close contact with his chief of staff Mark Meadows in the days before, the House Committee justified its interest in questioning McCarthy. McCarthy could also provide insights into Trump’s mood and plans after the attack. The committee did not summon McCarthy, but asked him to volunteer to cooperate.
Loyal follower of Trump
Trump supporters had stormed the seat of the US Congress in Washington to prevent the confirmation of the election victory of the Democrat Joe Biden. The attack on January 6 last year killed five people and injured dozen. The attack on the heart of US democracy rocked the country. Trump does not admit his electoral defeat to this day.
I have decided not to participate in this special committee’s abuse of power.
“As a member of parliament and spokesman for the minority party, I have not decided, with either regret or satisfaction, not to participate in the abuse of power by this special committee that is tarnishing this institution today and will damage it in the future,” McCarthy continued. He is considered a loyal follower of Trump – however, immediately after the attack, he was also one of the few in his own camp who openly criticized him. McCarthy said he had also called Trump during the forcible storming of the Capitol and asked him to convince his supporters to turn back.