Rep. Cheney: I guess there's a question when we were talking about the 25th Amendment resolution, and you asked what would happen after he's gone? Is there any chance? Are you hearing that he might resign? Is there any reason to think that might happen?
Leader McCarthy: I've had a few discussions. My gut tells me no. I'm seriously thinking of having that discussion with him tonight. I haven't talked to him in a couple of days. From what I know of him, I mean, you guys all know him too, do you think he'd ever back away? But what I think I'm going to do is I'm going to call him. This is what I think. We know [the 25th Amendment resolution] will pass the House. I think there's a chance it will pass the Senate, even when he's gone. And I think there's a lot of different ramifications for that. . . . Again, the only discussion I would have with him is that I think this will pass, and it would be my recommendation you should resign.[559]
Before January 6th, Fox News personality Sean Hannity warned that January 6th could be disastrous:
Dec. 31, 2020 text from Sean Hannity to Mark Meadows: "We can't lose the entire WH counsels office. I do NOT see January 6 happening the way he is being told. After the 6 th [sic]. He should announce will lead the nationwide effort to reform voting integrity. Go to Fl and watch Joe mess up daily. Stay engaged. When he speaks people will listen."[560]
January 5, 2021 texts from Sean Hannity to Mark Meadows:
"Im very worried about the next 48 hours"
"Pence pressure. WH counsel will leave."
"Sorry, I can't talk right now."
"On with boss"[561]
A member of the Republican Freedom caucus also warned, on December 31, 2020, and on January 1, 2021:
The President should call everyone off. It's the only path. If we substitute the will of states through electors with a vote by Congress every 4 years … we have destroyed the electoral college … Respectfully.[562] If POTUS allows this to occur … we're driving a stake in the heart of the federal republic …[563]
