House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy reportedly brought Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) to tears after he berated her for telling reporters the truth about his Jan. 6th phone call with former President Donald Trump, The Washington Post reports, citing a new book.
The new book, titled “Unchecked: The Untold Story Behind Congress’s Botched Impeachments of Donald Trump,” by Washington Post reporter Karoun Demirjian and Politico reporter Rachael Bade, details how McCarthy was furious with Herrera Beutler for telling reporters that Trump dismissed concerns about his supporters storming the Capitol in an effort to block certification of president Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
The revelation made McCarthy fearful that Trump would sabotage the party in upcoming elections and proceeded to scold Herrera Beutler for talking with reporters.
“I alone am taking all the heat to protect people from Trump!” McCarthy yelled at her. “I alone am holding the party together… I have been working with Trump to keep him from going after Republicans like you and blowing up the party and destroying all our work!”
“Why did you go to the press?” he yelled. “This is no way to thank me!”
“What did you want me to do? Lie?” Herrera Beutler replied, according to the book. “I did what I thought was right.”
Read the full report at The Washington Post.