Former Rep. Kevin McCarthy recently revealed that he believes he was removed as speaker of the House due to pressure from a fellow member of Congress regarding an ethics complaint involving a 17-year-old individual. McCarthy's statement came after Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct, filed a motion to vacate McCarthy's seat in October 2023.
During a speech at Georgetown University, McCarthy shared that the unnamed lawmaker wanted him to intervene in the ethics complaint, which had begun before McCarthy assumed the role of House Speaker. McCarthy emphasized that he refused to interfere in the investigation, stating that it would be illegal to do so.
Although McCarthy did not explicitly name Gaetz as the individual in question, Gaetz was the one who initiated the motion to remove McCarthy from his position. In response to McCarthy's claims, Gaetz dismissed them as falsehoods and criticized McCarthy for his alleged dishonesty.
Gaetz, who represents Florida's 1st Congressional District, has faced scrutiny over allegations of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl whom he reportedly paid to travel with him. While the Justice Department has halted its investigation into sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz, the House Ethics Committee continues to review the accusations.
McCarthy has previously expressed his belief that Gaetz should be held accountable for his actions, stating that Gaetz 'belongs in jail.' Gaetz, on the other hand, has denied any wrongdoing and has refuted the allegations against him, including claims of having sexual relations with a minor.
Notably, Gaetz has a history of controversial behavior, with reports suggesting that he would boast about his sexual encounters to colleagues in Congress and allegedly show them explicit photos. Joel Greenberg, a former associate of Gaetz, is currently serving a prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges related to a sex trafficking investigation.
Despite the ongoing controversies and investigations, Gaetz maintains his innocence and asserts that he has never engaged in illegal activities. The situation involving McCarthy, Gaetz, and the ethics complaint continues to unfold as the House Ethics Committee conducts its inquiry.
