New Book Says Gaetz Pressed McCarthy to Halt Ethics Probe Before 2023 Ouster
Updated
Updated · NOTUS · Jun 17
New Book Says Gaetz Pressed McCarthy to Halt Ethics Probe Before 2023 Ouster
2 articles · Updated · NOTUS · Jun 17
Summary
John Leganski’s book says Matt Gaetz privately pushed Kevin McCarthy to stop the House Ethics investigation, then moved to oust him after McCarthy refused.
An August 2023 text quoted in the book — “Very poor decision. See you soon.” — convinced McCarthy’s team that policy concessions would not avert a motion to vacate.
Hakeem Jeffries privately told McCarthy he was not eager to vote with Gaetz, but doubted Democrats would let him save the Republican speaker; McCarthy then texted him on Oct. 3, 2023, not to split his caucus.
Eight Republicans joined all Democrats to remove McCarthy, the first House speaker ever ousted by floor vote, leaving the chamber without a permanent leader until Mike Johnson’s election on Oct. 25, 2023.
Gaetz denied tying the fight to the ethics case, saying his dispute with McCarthy centered on policy and that federal investigators never charged him after a yearslong probe.