Former Rep. Kevin McCarthy revealed that he believes he was ousted as speaker of the House due to a member of Congress pressuring him to stop an ethics complaint involving sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old. McCarthy’s removal from his position came after Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct, filed a motion to vacate the seat in October 2023. McCarthy spoke about the situation, noting that the lawmaker he was referencing wanted him to influence the investigation, though he did not confirm Gaetz’s guilt. Gaetz responded to McCarthy’s allegations, calling him a liar and suggesting that McCarthy was removed as speaker because people voted to remove him.
While McCarthy did not directly name Gaetz as the individual behind the motion to oust him, Gaetz was indeed the member of Congress who introduced the motion. Gaetz has been under investigation for an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid her to travel with him. The Justice Department recently halted its probe into allegations of sex trafficking, but the House Ethics Committee is still weighing the accusations against Gaetz. McCarthy has made previous comments about Gaetz, stating in November that the congressman “belongs in jail,” which Gaetz responded to by criticizing McCarthy’s ego.
Gaetz has faced other controversial allegations regarding his behavior around women, including bragging about his sexual experiences to colleagues in Congress and showing nude photos of women he had been with. A former associate of Gaetz, Joel Greenberg, is currently serving a prison sentence related to a sex trafficking probe. Gaetz has consistently denied any allegations of wrongdoing, stating that he never had sex with a minor or paid for sex. Despite the ongoing investigations and controversies surrounding him, Gaetz has continued to serve as a congressman for Florida’s 1st Congressional District.
The situation involving McCarthy’s ousting as House Speaker and the allegations against Gaetz highlight the complex and contentious nature of politics in Washington. The accusations of sexual misconduct and attempts to influence investigations reflect the power dynamics and ethical challenges that can arise within the political sphere. The ongoing investigations into Gaetz and his association with individuals involved in criminal activities underscore the importance of accountability and integrity within the political system. The fallout from these allegations has led to tensions between McCarthy and Gaetz and sparked debates about moral conduct and responsibility among elected officials.
