McCarthy Says Gaetz Wanted To Do What?

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) made bold remarks on Wednesday, accusing former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) of orchestrating a plan to resign from Congress under the guise of a nomination to serve as President Donald Trump’s Attorney General. According to McCarthy, Gaetz’s resignation shortly after the nomination was a calculated move to avoid the fallout from an impending House Ethics Committee report that was set to scrutinize his conduct.

Gaetz stepped down from his seat almost immediately after Trump nominated him for the Attorney General post, just as the Ethics Committee was preparing to release its findings. McCarthy contends that Gaetz wanted to “get out” before the report could be made public. “Gaetz wanted an excuse to quit,” McCarthy explained during an appearance on NewsNation. “I don’t trust he said to Donald Trump about the true reason he wanted the position. He was facing pressure from the Ethics Committee, and he used this nomination as a way out.”

Gaetz’s nomination, which was widely seen as an attempt to elevate a loyal ally of Trump, was short-lived. After a week, Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration, likely sensing that he lacked the support in the Senate to secure confirmation. McCarthy’s criticism of Gaetz’s actions was blunt: “Matt wanted an out. He used the Attorney General nomination to escape, even though other nominees didn’t feel the need to resign from Congress.”

The timing of Gaetz’s resignation raised eyebrows, particularly given the ethics investigation into his actions. McCarthy, who has had a strained relationship with Gaetz—especially after the Florida congressman played a leading role in ousting him as Speaker—suggested that Gaetz’s resignation was a last-ditch effort to block the release of the Ethics Committee’s report, which could have been damaging to his reputation.

McCarthy continued, “Matt’s actions were clear—he didn’t want the report to come out. That’s why he resigned just before it was set to be released.” The former Speaker’s comments highlight the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party, as some conservatives accuse Gaetz of using his power to escape accountability. McCarthy’s statements also point to the complicated dynamics between him and Gaetz, a rivalry that has evolved over their differing approaches to party leadership.

As Republicans look to the future, these internal conflicts are likely to persist, especially as figures like Gaetz and McCarthy continue to navigate the shifting sands of Trump-era politics.