Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker, has officially rejected Swalwell and Schiff.
Speaker McCarthy officially rejected the nominations of Rep. Adam Schiff (D.CA) and Rep. Eric Swalwell, despite Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D.NY) recommendations to the intel committee. He stated that “I cannot place partisan loyalty above national security.”
“I can’t put partisan loyalty above national security, and I don’t believe that years of service is the only criteria for being a member of this vital committee. McCarthy stated that integrity is more important than partisan loyalty.
McCarthy said, “As such and in order to maintain an environment worthy of these committee’s responsibilities,” McCarthy added.
McCarthy responded on Twitter to his formal reply.
“I reject the nominations of Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff to the House Intelligence Committee. I will return the @HouseIntel Committee’s credibility and honesty to regain the trust of the American people.
I have voted against Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff’s nominations to the House Intelligence Committee.
I pledge to return the @HouseIntel committee to a culture of honesty and credibility that earns back the trust of the American people. pic.twitter.com/ePxlbanxta
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy January 25, 2023
Schiff calls McCarthy’s move “political revenge.”
This is political and petty payback to investigate Donald Trump. He will soon discover how wrong he is if he believes this will stop him. Schiff tweeted Tuesday evening, “I will always defend democracy.”
Kevin McCarthy has just kicked me off the Intelligence Committee with @RepSwalwell.
This is political payback to Donald Trump for his investigation.
He will soon discover how wrong he is if he believes that this will stop me.
I will defend democracy forever.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff January 25, 2023
McCarthy addressed the media Tuesday evening to defend his actions and remind them that they don’t know all the Intel Committee knows.
See the video above.
