Kevin McCarthy expresses harsh criticism, suggesting he lost his position as Speaker due to Gaetz's alleged actions

Ex-Speaker McCarthy claims Gaetz slept with a minor. McCarthy stated reasons for his removal at Georgetown Univ. Due to a Congressman's inappropriate affair with a 17-year-old, I was asked to halt an ethics complaint. This complaint was initiated prior to my tenure as Speaker of the House. Uncertain if he did it.

Mr McCarthy is referencing a 2021 US House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and sexual involvement with an underage girl by Mr Gaetz, a Republican from Florida. The Ethics inquiry was deferred for the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct their own investigation. DOJ closed investigation last year; Mr. Gaetz denies wrongdoing. Gaetz called McCarthy a "liar" in a statement to The Independent. That's why he isn't Speaker. Ask any of the 224 people who voted against him.

Mr Gaetz ousted Mr McCarthy as House Speaker last year, presenting and passing the motion to vacate. The Florida representative previously said he ousted Mr McCarthy due to concerns of him violating commitments as Speaker, not because of anger about the ethics probe. However, a report from The Daily Beast this year said Mr Gaetz targeted Mr McCarthy because of the probe. "An unnamed GOP staffer said he's heard him complain about Kevin over it. 

Last month, Mr. Gaetz received a subpoena for a deposition in a civil lawsuit tied to allegations of having sex with a minor." The subpoena is in a lawsuit filed by a friend of Mr. Gaetz against the woman and others. It was issued by the woman's lawyers. Mr Gaetz's deposition is part of a lawsuit brought by Chris Dorworth, a friend of his, against the woman and others. A spokesperson for Mr Gaetz previously stated that he received a witness subpoena in an ongoing lawsuit between outside parties. "He is not involved as a plaintiff or defendant in this lawsuit."