Posted on 08/21/2020 9:45:36 AM PDT by RandFan
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has denounced the QAnon conspiracy theory, becoming the highest-ranking congressional Republican to publicly condemn the theory.
McCarthy said during an interview on Fox News on Thursday evening that “there is no place” in the GOP for the theory, which posits that President Trump and his allies are working to expose an elite group of Democrats, media figures and celebrities who are running an international child trafficking ring.
The unfounded theory drew broader attention after Marjorie Taylor Greene won the GOP primary for Georgia’s 14th District last week. Greene previously embraced the theory in YouTube videos but has since attempted to distance herself from it, saying it no longer represents her views.
“Let me be very clear," McCarthy told Fox News. "There is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party. I do not support it and the candidate you talked about has denounced it."
Greene also came under fire after videos emerged of her making bigoted remarks and questioning whether a plane crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11, comments she later walked back.
A number of GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns that Greene’s comments and association with QAnon could stain the party’s image and potentially have a negative effect on vulnerable members’ races this year.
McCarthy emphasized Thursday that Greene has distanced herself from the QAnon theory and deserves a chance to prove herself once elected to the deep-red district.
“I've had discussions with Marjorie Greene, she won that primary, and she recently came out and announced the Q organization, whatever beliefs. I do not agree with their beliefs at all, and she denounced those,” he said during an appearance on C-SPAN on Wednesday.
“I believe everybody has an opportunity from that standpoint. And the discussions I've had with her, I think she will continue to work to show people that lots of times impressed today imply something different — she's a small business owner and she'll be given an opportunity.”
McCarthy noted that he has taken action in the past to remove members from committee assignments following racist remarks, referencing action taken by the House GOP Steering Committee last year to remove Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) from the panels he served on following comments made to The New York Times questioning when terms like "White nationalist” became offensive. McCarthy said any unacceptable remarks made by members in the future will be addressed in a similar fashion.
“You watch my actions as leader, we've had one member set things that I think went against what the party of Lincoln would stand for and I removed that individual from committees,” he said in the C-SPAN interview.
“It's the party does not decide whether you serve in Congress, your district decides when you serve in Congress, the party gets the opportunity to decide what committees you sit on.”
Other GOP leaders have also recently come out against QAnon since the previously far-right fringe conspiracy theory was thrust into the national spotlight amid Greene's congressional bid.
During Greene’s primary race, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) actively backed her opponent, neurosurgeon John Cowan, after the inflammatory remarks emerged, having both maxed out on donations and holding a fundraiser in an attempt to boost her rival.
House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (Wyo.), the No. 3 GOP lawmaker in the House, also came out against QAnon on Thursday.
“QAnon is a dangerous lunacy that should have no place in American politics,” she said in a statement.
This will be a fun post!
Just in case you were wondering why the GOP never accomplishes anything beneficial for the American people.
There’s no place for the Republican Party any more.
We want the Trump party.
Repulsicans can do whatever they want.
On another planet.
“...I’m lost for words... The GOP want to actually turn people away!...”
He’s running scared. He’s got something big to hide. Otherwise, it would be a total “non-issue”. So what is Kevin? You been to pedo island or something?
I have no use for QAnon, but I have no use for the Republican Party either. Perhaps they deserve each other.
Never underestimate the republicans ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They just can’t help themselves from playing into any msm narrative no matter how obvious. The republican party is dead, probably so is America.
What happened to the big tent they’ve always wanted?
The problem isn’t Q supporters, McCarthy. The problem is RINO supporters.
McCarthy is a Bush League Republican.
Only Bush League Republicans get into leadership in the House and Senate.
See Liz Cheney.
The GOP is scared of its own shadow
Again, this the Republican party and leaders responding to the media to denounce supporters because they are Qooks
We need to stop playing this game
It does us zero good
And it gives too much attention to the qooks
They play the media’s game.
Amen.
In other words, lots of RINOs are vulnerable.
QAanon is not part of the “Republican Party,” Adolf.
Yep...RINOs are just fine, w/GOPe.
I believe King’s remarks were distorted in some way, but I don’t recall the details.
It’s not just Democrats, and he knows it, which is why there is no room for it in the GOP.
What possesses these idiots to open their mouths about this stuff?
Probably fear.
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