Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has declared that expelling former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) from the House of Representatives was a “mistake.”
McCarthy made the comments amid plans for his own early retirement from Congress.
The congressman is leaving Congress after losing his role as House speaker earlier in the year.
“I would have leaned to some other punishment for him,” said McCarthy, according to the New York Post.
McCarthy was out of town during the December 1 Santos expulsion and did not cast a vote.
“The disgraced Long Island pol should have been able to ‘have his day in court’ before the House of Representatives took action,” McCarthy added.
Kevin McCarthy says expulsion of George Santos was a mistake
“I would have leaned to some other punishment for him,” McCarthy said.
Read more ⬇️https://t.co/hzaxxFKH8D
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) December 17, 2023
“Meanwhile, McCarthy said that he thinks Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been under a House Ethics Committee investigation, may have committed a more serious misfeasance than Santos,” Just the News reported.
“Gaetz ‘doesn’t want whatever’s in that ethics complaint to come forward,’ McCarthy said about the Ethics Committee probe following the Justice Department’s decision to not bring any charges against him in a sex-trafficking investigation,” it continued.
‘No shame, no care’: Kevin McCarthy faces backlash for labeling George Santos’ expulsion ‘mistake’ https://t.co/92VQb8jGlG
— Desirae (@dhorton74) December 17, 2023
“McCarthy suggested that a censure, similar to the one issued to Rep Jamaal Bowman for illegally pulling a fire alarm in the House, would have been more fitting,” Meaww reported.
“During his farewell media tour, the former House Speaker shared that he received congratulatory calls and messages from world leaders and high-powered CEOs,” the report notes.
“However, he has not yet heard from his replacement, the current House Speaker Mike Johnson.”
The issues involving Gaetz and Bowman have been points of controversy between the speaker and former speaker.
The ongoing questions about Gaetz could be a concern for the congressman as he runs for reelection next year.
Nevertheless, Gaetz is running in a strongly red Florida district.
The comments by the outgoing former speaker also continue to spark controversy as he wraps up his final days in Congress.
Many suspect McCarthy’s new plans will likely continue in the private sector.
However, McCarthy did recently suggest that he would be open to a position in President Donald Trump’s next administration, as Slay News reported.
McCarthy whether he would “be willing to serve in a Trump cabinet.”
McCarthy replied, “In the right position.
“Look, if I’m the best person for the job: Yes.
“Look, I worked with President Trump on a lot of policies.
“We worked together to win the majority.
“But we also have a relationship where we’re very honest with one another.”
READ MORE: New York Republicans Pick Registered Democrat to Run for George Santos’ Seat in Congress
