Speaker McCarthy Shreds Reporter Over Question About Adam Schiff And Eric Swalwell

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), lashed out at a reporter Tuesday evening for questioning him about his decision not to remove Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA), from the Intelligence Committee.

McCarthy made these remarks after being asked a question about Rep. George Santos’ (R-NY) treatment. He is currently embroiled in a scandal over false allegations he made regarding his past. This is compared to McCarthy’s decision not to place Swalwell and Schiff on the committee.

“Let me be clear and respectful to you. You ask me a question. When I answer it, it’s the answer to your question,” McCarthy began. “You don’t get to determine whether I answer your question or not.”

KEVIN MCCARTHY, HOUSE SPEAKER (R): He’s got elected by his district. I will be honest and respectful. You ask me a question. When I answer it, it’s the answer to your question. You don’t get to determine whether I answer your question or not. Thank you, okay? Let’s answer her question.

You just raised a question, I’m gonna be very clear with you, the Intel Committee is different. You know why, because what happens in the Intel Committee, you don’t know what happens in the Intel Committee of the the secrets are going on in the world. Other Members of Congress don’t know. What did Adam Schiff do to the Chairman of Intel Committee? Adam Schiff used his power as Chairman to lie to the American people, even the Inspector General. Devin Nunes published a memo that he called false. It was before we had a computer. It was used before an election to be political, and he claimed it was false. He also said that it was Russia when he had the intel. If you talk to John Radcliffe, DNI, he came out ahead of time and says there’s no Intel to prove that and he used his position as chairman, knowing he has information the rest of America does not and lied to the American public.

A whistleblower was contacted. The whistleblower came forward and said that he didn’t know the person, even though his staff had met him to set it up. So no, he doesn’t have the right to sit on that committee. But I won’t play politics like Democrats, who removed Republicans from all committees. He can be a member of a committee but not intel. It is vital to America’s national security and I will always prioritize them.

And if you want to talk about Swalwell, let’s talk about Swalwell. Because you were unable to have the same briefing as I did. Nancy Pelosi received the FBI briefing, and I received the briefing. The FBI did not come before Congress to inform the leadership that Eric Swalwell had a problem dealing with the Chinese spy. So it wasn’t just us who are concerned, the FBI was concerned about putting a member of Congress on the Intel Committee that has the rights to see things that others don’t because of his knowledge and relationship with a Chinese spy. They presented it to the leaders. I’ve got that briefing. Also, I don’t think he should serve on that committee.

And I believe there’s 200 other Democrats that can serve on that committee. This has nothing whatsoever to do with Santos. Santos does not sit on the Intel Committee. But, you know what, those voters chose Schiff, and those voters elected Swalwell despite the fact that he also lied to the American people. With all due respect to his voters, they will also serve on committees but not on any place of national security importance because integrity matters to him.