Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has reportedly declined to re-appoint Democrats Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff to the House Intelligence Committee.
I have rejected the appointments of Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell for the House Intelligence Committee.
I am committed to returning the @HouseIntel Committee to one of genuine honesty and credibility that regains the trust of the American people. pic.twitter.com/ePxlbanxta
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 25, 2023
McCarthy, as Speaker, has the unilateral right to prohibit members of the House Intelligence Committee.
McCarthy promised to knock Schiff and Swalwell off their perches long before he assumed the job.
Representative Swalwell has been removed from the House Intelligence Committee along with Representative Schiff.
Both have been vocal critics of President Trump and have played key roles in the impeachment proceedings against him.
Critics of McCarthy’s decision argue that it is an act of retaliation against these representatives for their political views and actions.
They argue that it is a violation of the principle of due process, as the representatives have not been given a fair opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations against them.
Kevin McCarthy just kicked me and @RepSwalwell off the Intelligence Committee.
This is petty, political payback for investigating Donald Trump.
If he thinks this will stop me, he will soon find out just how wrong he is.
I will always defend our democracy.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 25, 2023
This rejection is based on a claim that the Washington Post independent-fact checker gave 4 Pinocchios. Speaker Boehner and Ryan, both Gang of 8 members, appointed me to Intel with access to the same facts McCarthy is distorting. He can keep me off Intel, but I’m not going away. https://t.co/YQZOVCSJpO
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 25, 2023
Others have defended McCarthy’s decision, arguing that the representatives in question have engaged in conduct that is unbecoming of a member of Congress, and that they have demonstrated a lack of judgment and integrity.
They argue that the decision is necessary to maintain the integrity and credibility of the House of Representatives.
McCarthy has accused Schiff of being a serial liar, notably in probes involving former President Donald Trump.
And because of his alleged romantic involvement with an accused Chinese spy, the speaker has also raised national security concerns about Swalwell.
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