The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

After objecting to the election results, Kevin McCarthy says all Americans bear responsibility for the deadly Capitol riot

Analysis by
Politics senior video journalist
January 25, 2021 at 2:51 p.m. EST
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has said that all Americans bear “some responsibility” for the deadly pro-Trump Capitol riot on Jan. 6. (Video: JM Rieger/The Washington Post)

As a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called in to ABC News from a secure location.

“As a nation, I know we sit back and we’re appalled by what we’re seeing,” McCarthy said. “But I want everybody to take a deep breath and understand: We all have some responsibility here.”