Burchett on McCarthy after alleged elbowing: ‘I feel sorry for him’

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said he feels “sorry” for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy after the California Republican allegedly elbowed him in a Capitol hallway the previous day.

“I’m sure right after he did it, he regretted it,” Burchett said in an interview with “CNN This Morning” on Wednesday. “I’ve moved on; I’ve got no vengeance towards him. I prayed for him this morning, as a matter of fact, because I know he’s hurting.”

“It’s just a sad commentary on his life. I’m sorry for him. I really am. I feel sorry for him,” Burchett continued.

Burchett on Tuesday claimed McCarthy deliberately elbowed him in the back in a Capitol hallway while the Tennessee Republican was talking with reporters. Burchett then called after McCarthy and chased after him, but the former House leader kept walking.

McCarthy later Tuesday denied elbowing the congressman, telling reporters, “I guess our elbows hit as I walked by. If I would hit somebody, they would know I hit them.”

Asked by CNN how the two lawmakers got to this point, Burchett said, “I have no idea. It’s really a bizarre thing that just happened.”

Burchett was one of the eight Republicans who joined all House Democrats in voting to oust McCarthy from the top spot last month.

Pressed over if he would like to see McCarthy resign, Burchett said, “I don’t care what he does. Really it doesn’t matter. The sooner he leaves, the sooner he will be making seven figures being a lobbyist, let’s be honest. He’s not going back to Bakersfield, [Calif.].”

“He’ll be lobbying up here and making big money if he feels like he doesn’t have a shot back to the Speakership,” he added.

McCarthy has said he plans to run reelection despite losing the gavel. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Burchett’s latest remarks.