In what the Washington Post calls a “scathing rebuke,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement that called out those who promote crazy conspiracy theories. He did not mention Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene by name but the implication was clear. McConnell wrote:
Loony lies and conspiracy theories are cancer for the Republican Party and our country,” McConnell said in a statement. “Somebody who’s suggested that perhaps no airplane hit the Pentagon on 9/11, that horrifying school shootings were pre-staged, and that the Clintons crashed JFK Jr.’s airplane is not living in reality. This has nothing to do with the challenges facing American families or the robust debates on substance that can strengthen our party.
McConnell also defended Rep. Liz Cheney, whose leadership role in the House is being challenged because she voted to impeach former president Donald Trump.
“She is an important leader in our party and in our nation,” McConnell said in the statement, first reported by CNN. “I am grateful for her service and look forward to continuing to work with her on the crucial issues facing our nation.”
The Post adds that it’s unusual for a Senate leader to criticize members of the House, but it’s “an unmistakable signal to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) that, for the party’s sake, he must sideline extremists such as Greene (R-Ga.) and maintain a place for traditional Republicans such as Cheney (R-Wyo.).”
Greene responded on Twitter late Monday night saying:
The real cancer for the Republican Party is weak Republicans who only know how to lose gracefully,” she said. “This is why we are losing our country.”
Greene said earlier that she spoke with Donald Trump over the weekend who gave her his support. That leaves House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in what the New York Times calls an “uncomfortable middle ground…essentially framing any action Republican leaders might take against her as defying him by proxy.”
McCarthy is scheduled to meet with Greene later this week. Meanwhile, Democrats want to strip Greene of her committee assignments.