Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King filed an ethics complaint against Kevin McCarthy, the leader of his own party, alleging there was a conspiracy to end his political future.
King, who filed the complaint on Dec. 16 and announced it on Wednesday, was stripped of all committee assignments nearly two years ago after he appeared to wonder when “white supremacist” and “white nationalist” became offensive terms. In the complaint, King claims there was an “overtly concerted effort” to “deprive me and my constituents of equal representation” even though he has not been found guilty of a crime nor in violation of the Code of Official Conduct.
King lost his committee assignments after he said in a New York Times interview: “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive? … Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?”
The congressman maintains that his words were misconstrued and called the interview “libelous” and a “hit piece” in the complaint. He also alleges he was “made aware” of a “coordinated plot” before “it was executed,” which predated the interview’s release.
King claims a “trusted friend and professional connection” informed him of the scheme before the Times’ article. He does not name the person who supposedly tipped him off but said the person is “willing to provide necessary information to the Committee.”
In the complaint, King also said he was “denied any semblance of due process,” and said the Congressional Research Service confirmed to him that he is the only member in “searchable history” to lose all of a member’s committee assignments after having not been accused or convicted of criminal wrongdoing or renouncing their political party affiliation.
I have filed ethics charges against @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy with the U.S. House Committee on Ethics. I offer him something he didn’t offer me—due process. https://t.co/gIKLejJwxj
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) December 23, 2020
McCarthy’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
