House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) blasted Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) on Tuesday shortly before he went on-air for a live interview.
“I think she’s got real problems,” McCarthy told Fox News host Steve Doocy right before appearing on “Fox and Friends,” according to Axios. “I’ve had it with … I’ve had it with her. You know, I’ve lost confidence. … Well, someone just has to bring a motion, but I assume that will probably take place.”
“The comments, made amid seeming cross-talk with Doocy, outlined how the House conference chair could be removed by a vote from the chamber’s Republican members,” Axios further reported.
During the on-air interview, McCarthy said Republicans have “no concern” regarding Cheney’s vote to impeach former President Donald Trump, but did explain concerns regarding her ability to lead as House Republican conference chair.
“There’s no concern about how she voted on impeachment. That decision has been made,” said McCarthy. “I have heard from members concerned about her ability to carry out the job as conference chair, to carry out the message.”
“I haven’t heard members concerned about her vote on impeachment. It’s more concerned about the job, ability to do, and what’s our best step forward that we can all work together instead of attacking one another,” he added.
In response to McCarthy’s interview, Cheney spokesperson Jeremy Adler said, “This is about whether the Republican Party is going to perpetuate lies about the 2020 election and attempt to whitewash what happened on January 6. Liz will not do that. That is the issue.”
McCarthy’s off-air comments echoed some of his top allies, who said Monday: “There is no way that Liz will be conference chair by month’s end. When there is a vote, it won’t be a long conference; it will be fast. Everyone knows the outcome.”
“She is a big distraction,” the ally added. “I don’t see McCarthy saving her this time.”
“This is a broad range of lawmakers who have had it with her,” another McCarthy ally said. “She’s a liability, and McCarthy’s as fed up as the rest of us that she is focused on the past rather than winning back the House.”
Cheney has created “difficulties” for the Republican Party by constantly criticizing Trump, McCarthy said in late April, and he claimed he has privately advised her to tone down her attacks.
On Monday afternoon, Trump released a statement blasting Cheney:
Heartwarming to read new polls on big-shot warmonger Liz Cheney of the great State of Wyoming. She is so low that her only chance would be if vast numbers of people run against her which, hopefully, won’t happen. They never liked her much, but I say she’ll never run in a Wyoming election again!