Tracking scandals and controversies involving Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the California Republican who is also the Speaker of the House.
Smears
McCarthy Blamed GOP Disruption Of State Of The Union On Biden “Goading.” “McCarthy said some GOP members erupted in anger during the State of the Union address because of “goading” from Biden with false claims.” [Fox]
Conspiracy Theories
McCarthy Lied, Claimed Attorney General Called Parents Terrorists. “McCarthy is putting words in Garland’s mouth. Garland has never equated parents to terrorists, and in fact he told Congress he “can’t imagine” a circumstance under which that would happen. Through a Rube Goldberg artifice, McCarthy is relying on an association letter that has been withdrawn, a Justice Department news release and a bureaucratic designation to somehow tag Garland with words he did not say and has rebutted. That’s not enough to make such an incendiary claim. McCarthy earns Four Pinocchios.” [Washington Post]
George Santos
McCarthy Said He Would “Stand By” Fraudulent Rep. George Santos. “House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Wednesday that he is all in for Rep. George Santos, the embattled New York Republican who appears to have invented his entire résumé: “You know why I’m standing by him?” McCarthy told the media. “Because his constituents voted for him.” ” [Salon]
McCarthy Appointed Santos To Two Congressional Committees. “The GOP Steering Committee, which is led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California and doles out committee assignments, voted to give Santos slots on the Science, Space and Technology Committee and the Small Business Committee, which are two of the lower-profile panels on Capitol Hill.” [NBC]
McCarthy Wouldn’t Push George Santos To Resign, Despite Fraudulent Resume. “House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday said he would not urge embattled Republican Rep. George Santos to resign from Congress, hours after local GOP officials tore into the New York legislator and pushed him to step down. “Look, the voters decide,” McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters on Capitol Hill when asked whether he would welcome Santos’ resignation if it was offered, according to NBC News.” [CNBC]
January 6 Attack On The Capitol
McCarthy Gave Tucker Carlson Exclusive Access To Jan. 6 Footage. “House Homeland Security Committee ranking Democrat Bennie Thompson (Miss.) on Monday blasted Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) for handing over tens of thousands of hours of riot footage from Jan. 6, 2021, to Fox News host Tucker Carlson. “It’s hard to overstate the potential security risks if this material were to be used irresponsibly,” Thompson said in a statement.” [The Hill]
In an audio recording made immediately after the January 6 2021 attack, McCarthy said “people need to be held accountable” for what happened. McCarthy later fell in line with former President Donald Trump and attacked the January 6 Select Committee repeatedly.
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.