In the wake of former President Donald Trump’s defense of those calling for the hanging of former Vice-President Mike Pence during the January 6 insurrection, , a telling exchange occurred between ABC’s chief Washington correspondent, Jonathan Karl, and John Barrasso of Wyoming, the third-ranking Republican in the Senate. I thought an edit would save a bit of time, and help Barrasso make his point with, well, pin-point accuracy.

Actual exchange:

Karl: “Can your party tolerate a leader who defends murderous chants against his own vice-president?”

Barrasso: “Well, let me just say, the Republican party is incredibly united right now and … I think the more that the Democrats and the press becomes obsessed with President Trump, I think the better it is for the Republican party. President Trump brings lots of energy to the party, he’s an enduring force.”

This writer’s edit.

Karl: “Can your party tolerate a leader who defends murderous chants against his own vice-president?”

Barrasso: “Yes.”