Incoming House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca.) decided to let House Democrats decide what members they want to appoint to committees outside of a select few members.
McCarthy said that he would not allow Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Mn.) to be a part of the Foreign Affairs Committee and that he would not allow Representative Adam Schiff (D-Ca.) and Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Ca.) to be a part of the House Intelligence Committee.
Swalwell was allegedly dating a Chinese spy by the name of Christine Fang, while Schiff reportedly abused his position on the House Intelligence Committee to leak intelligence to the press and attack Republican politicians.
A CNN reporter attempted to accuse McCarthy of being dishonest for saying that he would not appoint a select few Democrats to certain committees.
McCarthy hit back, saying that reporters have not examined Swalwell’s past or Schiff’s alleged dishonesty.
Newsbusters Reports–
CNN cuts away from Speaker McCarthy's press conference when he starts hammering Rep. Swalwell for being allegedly compromised, and Rep. Schiff for repeatedly lying about having evidence of collusion. pic.twitter.com/fL5xcblNI1
— Bill D'Agostino (@Banned_Bill) January 12, 2023
McCarthy offered this explanation for the apparent inconsistency:
Let me phrase something very direct to you. If you got the briefing I got from the FBI, you wouldn’t have Swalwell on any committee. And you’re going to tell me other Democrats couldn’t fill that slot? He cannot get a security clearance in the private sector. So would you like to give him a government clearance?
… Not only was he getting a clearance, he was inside an Intel Committee. He had more information than the majority of all the members. Did you ever raise that issue? No, but you should’ve. You’re going to tell me there are 200 other Democrats that couldn’t fill that slot, but they kept him on it?
After a few more choice words about Swalwell, McCarthy switched targets: “Adam Schiff openly lied to the American public!”
McCarthy also called out the media for hyperfixating on House-elect George Santos’ past while ignoring Swalwells.
“You asked me questions about [George] Santos. Have you asked the questions about Swalwell? Not only was he getting a clearance, he was inside an intel committee. He had more information than the majority of all the members. Did you ever raise that issue? No, but you should’ve.”
