Staff Reports
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has revealed that his expulsion by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) in October stemmed from a House Ethics Committee investigation into the congressman from Florida. McCarthy, speaking to House Republicans, cautioned them not to fear the motion to vacate tactic, citing Gaetz’s prior use of the maneuver as a personal vendetta.
Gaetz ethics investigation was driver behind speaker ouster: McCarthy https://t.co/0P1MnlwXFs https://t.co/0P1MnlwXFs
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 26, 2024
McCarthy pointed to an ongoing House ethics investigation into allegations of misconduct by Gaetz, including the disturbing accusation of engaging in inappropriate conduct with a minor. McCarthy emphasized that the investigation had been initiated prior to his speakership, and he refuted any claims of interference, stating that Gaetz had attempted to manipulate him to impede the Ethics Committee’s proceedings.
The former speaker further detailed Gaetz’s efforts to coerce him into obstructing the investigation, portraying Gaetz as desperate to leverage his position to halt the Ethics Committee’s scrutiny. McCarthy adamantly denied any involvement and emphasized that he had no prior knowledge of the investigation, firmly rejecting Gaetz’s attempts to entangle him in the matter.
While Gaetz has not explicitly confirmed the link between the House ethics investigation and his push for McCarthy’s removal, a confidante of the congressman reportedly shared a message in which Gaetz insinuated McCarthy’s culpability for his predicament. In response, Gaetz labeled McCarthy a “liar” on social media, suggesting discord between the two.
Gaetz’s campaign to oust McCarthy as speaker culminated in a successful motion to vacate in October, following the passage of a contentious government spending bill. This move garnered support from seven of Gaetz’s associates and unanimous opposition from House Democrats, who alleged that McCarthy had reneged on commitments to the conference to secure the deal.
Subsequently, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) followed suit by filing a motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) after a separate spending bill, mirroring Gaetz’s tactics. However, Greene’s endeavor has not gained comparable traction, and some Democrats have signaled a willingness to aid Johnson in retaining his position.
McCarthy’s assertions paint a picture of Gaetz as a manipulative figure, seeking to exploit his ties with the former speaker to impede the ethics investigation against him. The acrimony between the two Republicans has laid bare the internal divisions within the party, exacerbated by clashes over contentious legislative matters and political tactics.
