In a stunning revelation rippling through the political landscape, former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy has attributed his abrupt ouster from leadership to a scandal involving Representative Matt Gaetz. McCarthy, while addressing students at Georgetown University, claimed his removal was spurred by Gaetz’s desire to halt an ethics complaint linked to allegations the Florida congressman had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old.
The ethics complaint that McCarthy referenced originated before his tenure as Speaker. It relates to a broader investigation by the House Ethics Committee, initiated in 2021, focusing on possible violations of sex trafficking laws by Gaetz. This inquiry was momentarily put on hold to allow for a separate investigation by the Department of Justice, which subsequently concluded without charges in December 2022. However, the congressional probe restarted in early 2023, further entangling Gaetz in ongoing legal and ethical scrutiny.
McCarthy did not mince words when he explained, “Because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old, an ethics complaint that started before I ever became Speaker. And that’s illegal, and I’m not gonna get in the middle of it.”
Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations, and in response to McCarthy’s comments, he retorted, “Kevin is a liar. Which, actually, is why he isn’t Speaker. Just ask any of the 224 people who voted to remove him.” His counterattack referred to the coalition of Republicans and Democrats that formed to push McCarthy out.
The drama peaked last year when Gaetz led the motion to remove McCarthy, resulting in his unprecedented expulsion as the first speaker ousted by his own party. This fallout has thrown Republican House leadership into chaos.
Some insiders believe the action against McCarthy was driven not just by policy disagreements but also by personal grudges. A report by The Daily Beast this year suggested that Gaetz may have singled out McCarthy as retaliation for not stopping the ethics probe.
Gaetz’s ethics probe has led to a civil lawsuit where he received a subpoena for a deposition, part of a broader defamation and racketeering case, showcasing the complex legal issues surrounding the congressman.
Relevant articles:
– Scathing Kevin McCarthy says he was ousted as Speaker because Gaetz ‘slept with a 17-year-old’
– McCarthy says Gaetz ousted him to stop ethics complaint over sex scandal, The Guardian US, Wed, 10 Apr 2024 16:26:00 GMT
– Kevin McCarthy Blames Ouster On Matt Gaetz Trying To Kill Ethics Complaint For ‘Sleeping With 17-Year-Old’, Mediaite, Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:05:00 GMT
– Kevin McCarthy angrily says Congressman Matt Gaetz “slept with a 17-year-old” (video), Boing Boing, Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:18:00 GMT