US Capitol attack panel seeks McCarthy’s cooperation | First Thing

House minority leader Kevin McCarthy accused the House select committee investigating the US Capitol attack of abuse of power' as he denied the panel's request for an interview

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Good morning.

Yesterday the House select committee investigating the US Capitol attack formally asked the Republican House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, to cooperate with its inquiry into the 6 January insurrection.

McCarthy responded late Wednesday that he would not cooperate with the investigation, setting the stage for a bitter political showdown.

McCarthy had spoken directly to Donald Trump on the day the former president's supporters stormed the US Capitol to stop the certification of Joe Biden's election win.

The committee's request to McCarthy marks a significant political moment for the investigation as they examine potential criminal conduct by the former president.