House GOP Leaders Offer Contrasting Responses on Whether Trump Should Speak at CPAC
The Republican Party is in the midst of a debate over whether or not to embrace former President Donald Trump going forward. That was on full display on Monday when House Republican leaders held a press briefing. House…
The Republican Party is in the midst of a debate over whether or not to embrace former President Donald Trump going forward.
That was on full display on Monday when House Republican leaders held a press briefing. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was asked if he believes Trump should speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
“Yes, he should,” McCarthy responded.
The reporter also asked Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) whether she believes Trump should speak at the conservative gathering. She said, “That’s up to CPAC.”
“I’ve been clear in my views about President Trump and the extent to which following Jan. 6, I don’t believe that he should be playing a role in the future of the party or the country,” she added.
McCarthy added as the press conference ended, “On that high note, thank you very much.”
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Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for what lawmakers allege was his role in inciting the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Her vote led to condemnation from the Wyoming Republican Party and a push by Trump’s House allies to oust her from her leadership position, which failed.
Cheney since said that she believes Trump should not have a role in the party going forward.
However, McCarthy apparently disagrees.
While the two men reportedly had a heated exchange as protesters stormed the Capitol, it appears that tensions have cooled.
The California Republican met with the former president on Jan. 28 and released a statement that said Trump “committed to helping elect Republicans in the House and Senate in 2022.”
A picture also circulated of the two men smiling, standing next to each other.
Additionally, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) also met with Trump. A spokesman for Scalise said in a statement, “Scalise is in Florida this week on political travel and had meetings at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday and touched base with President Trump while he was there.”
Trump is expected to speak at CPAC on Sunday. A source told Reuters he will “be talking about the future of the Republican Party and the conservative movement.”