House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., on Sunday declined to defend President Trump for asserting that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un was unaware of the treatment of American student Otto Warmbier that ultimately led to his death.

The California Republican is a close Trump ally and loyal to the White House on most issues. But on this, McCarthy deviated, telling George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week” that Kim was responsible for Warmbier’s death, and did not back up Trump’s remarks that the North Korean leader was unaware of the American’s condition while being held prisoner by Pyongyang.

The president later said on Twitter that "of course" "North Korea" was responsible. But McCarthy, in his television interview, specifically placed the blame on Kim, counter to Trump’s initial comments and clarification.

“I think Kim knew what happened, which was wrong,” McCarthy said. “That's why when we passed sanctions, we named it after Otto Warmbier, that's why the president kept those sanctions in place. The sanctions did not lift on North Korea are named after Otto and I think the president clarified that.”

When Stephanopoulos followed up, saying that “actually,” Trump said “North Korea, not Kim,” McCarthy responded by saying, “I think Kim knew.”

The episode arose from comments Trump made after his second summit with Kim came to a premature end. The president said he did not think the North Korean leader was personally aware of Warmbier’s treatment and condition while being held by the authoritarian regime.

Some political and foreign policy observers — and even the Warmbier family, with whom the president has had good relations — took issue with Trump’s remarks, charging the president was trying to absolve strongman of responsibility for what was essentially Warmbier’s murder. They said Kim most likely did know, given the nature of his regime, and that, in any event, it didn’t matter, because he was responsible.

“I never like being misinterpreted, but especially when it comes to Otto Warmbier and his great family. Remember, I got Otto out along with three others. The previous Administration did nothing, and he was taken on their watch. Of course I hold North Korea responsible,” Trump tweeted on Saturday.