Staff Reports
In a fiery statement on his final day in Congress, Kevin McCarthy didn’t hold back his true feelings about his congressional foe, Matt Gaetz. McCarthy, who is set to retire at the end of the month, didn’t mince words, boldly accusing Gaetz of being “psychotic.” The California Republican attributed Gaetz’s actions of introducing a resolution to remove him from the House speakership to personal animosity rather than any substantial policy differences. McCarthy couldn’t resist adding a touch of humor to his scathing remarks by suggesting that Gaetz’s behavior should be studied by the FBI, which raised a few eyebrows.
Kevin McCarthy rails against Matt Gaetz on his last day in Congress: ‘He was psychotic’ https://t.co/KYESQT9FKG pic.twitter.com/RlNMkrXaex
— New York Post (@nypost) December 16, 2023
McCarthy’s comment could stem from the recent Justice Department investigation into Gaetz’s alleged involvement in sex trafficking. Despite the probe ending in February with no charges filed against Gaetz, the cloud of suspicion surrounding him persisted. The investigation centered around Gaetz’s alleged relationship with a then-17-year-old girl and whether he had paid for her to travel across state lines for sex. Gaetz has repeatedly vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee continues to conduct an investigation into various allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct, drug use, misuse of state identification records, and misappropriation of campaign funds.
In response to McCarthy’s criticisms, Gaetz brushed them off and offered his “thoughts and prayers” to the outgoing congressman. Gaetz pointed out that McCarthy’s premature departure from the House demonstrated that his pursuit of personal power was always his motivation, rather than the well-being of the country. The ongoing back-and-forth between McCarthy and Gaetz highlights the deep divisions within the Republican party as House Republicans’ majority is set to diminish to just two votes.
As McCarthy bids farewell to Congress, he leaves behind a legacy of being one of the shortest-serving House speakers in US history. Despite the controversies and adversarial relationships, McCarthy proclaimed during his exit speech that he had no regrets about the policies he pursued in his role. He specifically highlighted his decision to ensure that troops were paid during times of war, a move he staunchly defends and would make again. McCarthy’s tenure as speaker may have been tumultuous, but he remained steadfast in his commitment to his principles.
