GOP members and aides, most of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, noted that McCarthy is publicly more vocal when a majority of his conference is united against the behavior of a particular colleague. When members began to complain that Cheney’s constant criticism about Trump was becoming too much of a distraction about a year ago, McCarthy endorsed the movement to remove her as conference chair, as she no longer resonated with her colleagues.

A similar scenario played out with Cawthorn as members, including those who typically do not complain, expressed their outrage when they returned to Washington this week…

Republicans also demurred that Cawthorn’s remarks brought unwanted attention to the conference just days after retreat in Florida, where members worked to finalize issue policies they believe would unite them.

“When you actually run on a platform, here’s what we care about, here’s what we’re going to do because the American people care about that —- that will help keep the team together and accomplishing what we told the people we were going to do when we ran for the job and the reason why they’re gonna put us in the majority and make Kevin speaker,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said last Friday in Ponte Vedra, Fla.