House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy says he was not aware of any red flags concerning embattled Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz.
The remarks come just one day after House Minority Whip Steve Scalise said that party leaders would “take action” if Gaetz, who is under federal investigation by the Justice Department for alleged sex trafficking, is charged. McCarthy also confirmed this on Thursday.
“Matt Gaetz is the same as any American. He’s innocent until proven guilty. There was no charges against them yet. If a charge comes forward, that will be dealt with at that time,” said McCarthy, a California Republican.
GAETZ SET TO KEEP JUDICIARY COMMITTEE POST AMID INVESTIGATION FUROR
When asked if he was privy to conversations former House Speaker Paul Ryan had with Gaetz about Gaetz’s professional conduct when McCarthy was majority leader, he replied, “I wasn’t part of that discussion. I didn’t know about that. Lots of times, as speaker or leader, you have discussions with members. There’s privacy. … I did not know about that conversation. I don’t know what that conversation was about as well.”
McCarthy later added that nothing about Gaetz’s behavior related to the present allegations was raised with him in the past.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
During Gaetz’s first term, according to a report from CNN, the Florida congressman met with Ryan in the Capitol when the then-speaker talked with the then-freshman member about his conduct. However, Gaetz denied that such a meeting ever occurred or that he was ever reprimanded by Ryan.
Gaetz has denied allegations he had sex with a 17-year-old girl or paid anyone to travel across state lines to have sex with him. He claims he is the target of a smear job from the Department of Justice and CNN.
