McCarthy in bind as conservatives push GOP to oust Cheney in her primary

GOP leaders are facing growing pressure from conservative hardliners to put their political muscle behind a primary challenge seeking to oust Rep. Liz Cheney, a move that puts top Republicans in an awkward spot as they try to avoid intraparty fights and the ire of Donald Trump in their quest to take back the majority.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has so far been successful in tamping down calls to expel Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger from the GOP conference, arguing it's an unnecessary distraction at a time when Republicans are poised to win back the House. McCarthy has also privately reasoned to members that Kinzinger is retiring anyway and Cheney could be knocked out in her primary this summer, according to members who have spoken to the leader.

GOP leaders in the House have long had a posture of neutrality in primaries, so jumping behind Cheney's challenger would amount to a breach of protocol, prompt internal turmoil and cause a major distraction as the party wants to keep its focus squarely on Democratic pickup opportunities. But staying quiet could open McCarthy up to criticism from Trump and his staunchest allies -- as they got a big boost Friday when the Republican National Committee censured Kinzinger and Cheney for their roles on the January 6 select committee. That unprecedented rebuke came in addition to steps the committee took earlier this week to enable the RNC to back a Cheney challenger.