House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is open to censuring President Donald Trump, a source familiar with the matter told the Daily Caller.
Democrats and some Republicans have called for Trump to resign or be removed from office following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, accusing the president of inciting and failing to effectively respond.
Discussing the impending impeachment of Trump by House Democrats in a call with GOP lawmakers, McCarthy reportedly said Trump admitted that he bore “some responsibility” for inciting the riot, which resulted in five deaths, including that of one Capitol Police officer.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Censure would stop short of efforts to impeach Trump, which if convicted by the Senate would result in the president being unable to run again in 2024.
The impeachment resolution currently before the House charges the president with one article of “incitement of insurrection,” and calls on Vice President Mike Pence to use the 25th Amendment to remove Trump.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly told Senate Republicans that Trump has committed impeachable offenses, and has expressed approval of Democratic efforts. (RELATED: Geraldo Rivera: Impeachment ‘Justified By The Facts,’ But Democrats Have ‘Dirty Hands’)
Trump on Tuesday called attempts at impeachment a “hoax” that is “causing tremendous anger and division and pain far greater than most people will ever understand.”