(NewsNation) — Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Wednesday that Rep. Matt Gaetz lied to President-elect Donald Trump about his potential attorney general nomination in an attempt to avoid an impending ethics investigation.
In a Wednesday interview on NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live,” McCarthy suggested Gaetz sought a way out of Congress before a House Ethics report could be released.
McCarthy characterized Gaetz’s brief consideration for attorney general as an elaborate exit strategy, stating that Gaetz “wanted an excuse to resign” before the ethics report became public.
The former speaker claimed Gaetz misled Trump about his circumstances, saying he “lied to the president” about his potential nomination.
“I blame Matt for lying to the president because Matt needed to get out of Congress before the ethics report came out on Friday. I don’t believe he told President Trump that,” McCarthy said.
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Gaetz stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him.
Calling for transparency, McCarthy urged the release of the ethics report, echoing Gaetz’s own previous stance on government transparency.
“Matt’s biggest bill in Congress was about stock trades transparency,” McCarthy said. “If he says he hasn’t done this, why don’t you clear his name? Put the report out there.”
McCarthy cited multiple sources supporting allegations against Gaetz, including claims of inappropriate relationships with a minor. He stated that “people who represent the 17-year-old” had spoken to the ethics committee, and other sources alleged Gaetz supplied drugs and engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct.
The former speaker suggested the allegations were severe enough to disqualify Gaetz from future political roles.
“This country is too great for that,” McCarthy said, stressing that “these young women need justice.”
When pressed about Trump’s continued support for Gaetz, McCarthy was dismissive, simply stating, “I don’t know who really likes him.”
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McCarthy was also on NewsNation to discuss his new Alfa Institute think tank focused on positioning the United States to win the technological space race.
He highlighted critical areas of technological competition, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing and energy infrastructure.
“The next war will start in space,” McCarthy said, advocating for closer collaboration between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon to maintain American technological supremacy.
