By BENJAMIN SIEGEL, ABC News
(WASHINGTON) — Former President Donald Trump and his future with the GOP was the subject of an awkward clash Wednesday between two House Republican leaders.
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy was unequivocal when asked if Trump should be speaking this Sunday at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference — the large gathering of GOP and conservative leaders.
“Yes he should,” McCarthy, who recently went to visit Trump in Mar-a-Lago, replied.
House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the third-ranking House Republican, who voted to impeach Trump and became his target, gave a different answer.
“That’s up to CPAC … I don’t believe that he should be playing a role in the future of the party or the country,” Cheney said as she stood behind McCarthy.
Rep. Steve Scalise, the second-ranking House Republican, who also has visited Trump in Florida, shook his head.
McCarthy, who was at the microphone, had a pained look on his face when Cheney made her comment.
“On that high note, thank you!” McCarthy said to end the news conference.
Should former Pres. Trump speak at CPAC?
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy: "Yes, he should."
GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney: "That's up to CPAC…following January 6, I don't believe that he should be playing a role in the future of the party, or country." pic.twitter.com/SdT9u2IniE
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 24, 2021
McCarthy is slated to speak Saturday at the CPAC convention in Orlando, Florida.
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