Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) is accusing House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) of not telling the truth about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Kinzinger was asked if he believes McCarthy’s opposition to the creation of a commission to investigate the violence was a conflict of interest.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a conflict of interest because Kevin is the leader. There’s probably a lot of people that are going to be subject to being called in front of any investigation on this even criminal investigation,” he responded.
He continued, “But I do think Kevin has failed to tell the truth to the Republicans and to the American people. And it pains me to say it. It’s not like I enjoy standing up and saying this, but people, the 74 million voters that voted for Donald Trump that believe — a number of them that believe the election was stolen believe it because their leaders have not told him, otherwise.”
“The people they trust have either been silent or not told them the truth. That’s where Kevin has failed because he told the truth on January 13, something around then, and then he went to Mar-a-Lago and said Donald Trump’s the leader of the party. He’s right. Donald Trump is the leader of the party, but we need to tell people the truth,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Wallace asks @RepKinzinger about Min. Leader McCarthy opposing a panel when he may be called to testify:
“I wouldn’t say it’s a conflict of interest because Kevin is the leader … but I do think Kevin has failed to tell the truth to the Republicans and to the American people. pic.twitter.com/dGMnzQvNDr
— The Recount (@therecount) May 23, 2021
During a speech on the House floor on Jan. 13, McCarthy addressed claims that far-left protesters were actually behind the storming of the Capitol, “Some say the riots were caused by Antifa. There is absolutely no evidence of that, and conservatives should be the first to say so.”
“The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding. These facts require immediate action of President Trump,” he added.
However, last week he opposed legislation that would have created a bipartisan commission to investigate the insurrection.
“Given the political misdirections that have marred this process, given the now duplicative and potentially counterproductive nature of this effort, and given the Speaker’s shortsighted scope that does not examine interrelated forms of political violence in America, I cannot support this legislation,” he said in a statement.
Kinzinger was one of 35 House Republicans who joined Democrats in voting in favor the creation of the commission.