The aspiring Republican House speaker disavowed the prominent white nationalist Nick Fuentes and his ideology, but declined to directly criticize former President Donald J. Trump for meeting with him.
In vilifying tweets and speeches, G.O.P. lawmakers who contested the election have far outpaced other Republicans and Democrats in fueling polarization.
In the run-up to an August primary, a number of Republicans on the ballot in Arizona — like those in Ohio — have rushed to embrace Donald J. Trump and his stolen-election falsehoods.
New audio recordings reveal Kevin McCarthy worried that comments by his far-right colleagues could incite violence. He said he would try to rein in the lawmakers, but has instead defended them.