Donald Trump ‘had telephone row with senior Republican as mob stormed the Capitol’

Kevin McCarthy had a row with Donald Trump over the Capitol riot

Credit: Susan Walsh/AP

Supporters of Mr Trump have insisted that he did plead with the mob to go home, but critics have accused him of delaying doing so.

Reports of the conversation have widened the rift between Mr Trump’s supporters and opponents within the Republican ranks.

Several Republican senators are expected to vote for Mr Trump’s conviction following this week’s impeachment trial in which Mr Trump is accused of inciting the insurrection.

Anthony Gonzales, a Republican congressman from Ohio who joined Democrats in voting to impeach Mr Trump, said the call illustrated his mindset.

"He was not sorry to see his unyieldingly loyal vice president or the Congress under attack by the mob he inspired,” he told CNN.

“In fact, it seems he was happy about it or at the least enjoyed the scenes that were horrifying to most Americans across the country."