In a recent interview on ‘Sunday Morning Futures’, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy revealed that the GOP has moved “closer” to filing an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. McCarthy stated this effort is being pursued by the new House Speaker, Mike Johnson, in an attempt to hold the U.S. government “accountable.”
This announcement comes after months of tension between McCarthy and the eight lawmakers who voted to oust him from his leadership position in October. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has also announced that he is filing an ethics complaint against McCarthy following an altercation with Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.).
According to Gaetz, tensions between McCarthy and the ousted lawmakers have been “lingering” since the October incident. Gaetz wrote a letter to House Ethics Chair Michael Guest (R-Fla.) and Ranking Member Susan Wild (D-Pa.) stating that the altercation, in which McCarthy allegedly elbowed Burchett in the back, “deserves immediate and swift investigation by the Ethics Committee.”
Burchett has accused McCarthy of “sucker punching” him in the kidney in a crowded hallway. However, McCarthy has denied the allegations, saying that it was simply a crowded hallway.
In his letter, Gaetz referred to the altercation as “an open and public assault on a Member, committed by another Member.” He also stated that the increase in breaches of decorum in Congress is unlike anything seen since the pre-Civil War era. Gaetz goes on to argue that while Burchett may choose not to press charges, the Ethics Committee has a duty to investigate any breaches of the Code of Official Conduct.
This incident is just one of many heated moments to take place on Tuesday. During a House Oversight Committee hearing, multiple exchanges became heated, with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) nearly getting into a physical altercation with a witness. The House has been in session for 10 consecutive weeks, and tensions appear to be running high. Members are hopeful that some of the pressure will be alleviated after they return from the Thanksgiving recess.
McCarthy’s announcement about the potential impeachment inquiry against President Biden is yet another development in the ongoing political drama between the two parties. According to McCarthy, the inquiry is a result of new information that has come to light, including President Biden’s alleged financial ties to China.
With the Ethics Committee reopening an investigation into allegations made against McCarthy, some have speculated that Gaetz’s actions are in response to the ongoing probe. However, Gaetz maintains that “the rot starts at the top” and believes that an investigation into McCarthy’s altercation with Burchett is necessary.
As tensions continue to rise in Congress, the coming weeks are sure to bring further developments in this ongoing political feud.
