House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) rebuked Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R., N.C.) for calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country is under attack by Russia, a “thug.”
“Madison is wrong,” Mr. McCarthy said at a press conference. “If there’s any thug in this world, it’s Putin.”
A spokesman for Mr. Cawthorn didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr. Cawthorn’s remarks, at an event in North Carolina, were first aired by WRAL News. In the video, he said: “Remember that Zelensky is a thug. Remember that the Ukrainian government is incredibly corrupt and it is incredibly evil and it has been pushing woke ideologies.”
Asked if he supported Mr. Cawthorn’s re-election, Mr. McCarthy said yes. Mr. McCarthy headlined a fundraiser for Mr. Cawthorn in early February at the Conservative Partnership Institute.
Mr. Cawthorn is one of a handful of House Republicans who have drawn attention for their comments related to Russia’s invasion, amid broader bipartisan unity on backing Ukraine and continuing to send weapons and other aid.
Some have also expressed skepticism regarding the U.S. getting more deeply involved in a foreign war.
When the House voted Thursday to end normal trade ties with Russiaeight Republicans voted once morest the legislation. The “no” votes were Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Chip Roy of Texas.
