{"id":2512833,"date":"2025-11-20T13:41:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T18:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/florida-dem-steps-away-from-leadership-post-after-doj-indictment\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T13:42:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T18:42:41","slug":"florida-dem-steps-away-from-leadership-post-after-doj-indictment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/florida-dem-steps-away-from-leadership-post-after-doj-indictment\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Dem steps away from leadership post after DOJ indictment"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fflorida-dem-steps-away-from-leadership-post-after-doj-indictment%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2512833&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) has stepped down from her role as the top House Democrat of a Foreign Affairs subcommittee following a federal indictment. She faces charges from the Justice Department for allegedly stealing and laundering $5 million in FEMA funds. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Cherfilus-McCormick will take leave from her subcommittee leadership while the investigation continues, emphasizing her right to due process. <\/p>\n<p>The indictment claims that Cherfilus-McCormick&#8217;s family healthcare company received an overpayment from FEMA in 2021, concealed the funds through multiple accounts, and then funneled a notable portion into her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dem-cheri-bustos-diverts-post-office-aid-cash-to-own-campaign\/\" title=\"Dem Cheri Bustos Diverts Post Office Aid Cash to Own Campaign\">congressional campaign<\/a>. Cherfilus-McCormick denied the allegations, calling the indictment baseless and politically motivated.<\/p>\n<p>Congressional ethics watchdogs had already been investigating her since 2023 over <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >potential campaign finance violations<\/a>. In response to the indictment, Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) announced plans to pursue an expulsion resolution, arguing that defrauding the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/better-than-expected-u-s-economy-added-638000-jobs-in-october-unemployment-dropped-to-6-9\/\" title=\"Better Than Expected: U.S. Economy Added 638,000 Jobs in October, Unemployment Dropped to 6.9%\">federal government<\/a> disqualifies her from office. Simultaneously occurring, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) expected that a censure resolution might be forthcoming.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Cherfilus-McCormick steps down from subcommittee leadership post after federal indictment<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2409263\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) is stepping down from her position as the top <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/house\/\">House<\/a> Democrat of a Foreign Affairs subcommittee in light of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\">Justice Department<\/a> indicting her over allegations of stealing and laundering $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In a statement on Thursday, House Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hakeem-jeffries\/\">Hakeem Jeffries<\/a> (D-NY) said Cherfilus-McCormick will &ldquo;take leave&rdquo; as ranking member of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-foreign-affairs-committee\/\">Foreign Affairs Committee&rsquo;s<\/a> subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, &ldquo;while this matter is ongoing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3893323\/iranian-president-pezeshkian-move-capital-catastrophic-drought\/\">Iranian President Pezeshkian says country must &#8216;move the capital&#8217; due to catastrophic drought<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3893338\/lance-gooden-asks-pam-bondi-investigate-china-involvement-energy-sector\/\">Lance Gooden asks Pam Bondi to investigate China&#8217;s involvement in the energy sector<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3891838\/vance-warns-gop-give-voters-something-believe-without-trump\/\">Vance warns GOP needs to give voters something to &#8216;believe in&#8217; without Trump on ballot<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has proudly represented the people of Palm Beach and Broward Counties since 2022,&rdquo; Jeffries said. &ldquo;Consistent with the United States <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/constitution\/\">Constitution<\/a>, she is entitled to her day in court and the presumption of innocence.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A federal grand jury in Miami <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3893106\/sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-doj-fema-funds\/\">handed down the indictment<\/a> on Wednesday, alleging that Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother&rsquo;s family healthcare company received a $5 million overpayment from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fema\/\">FEMA<\/a> in 2021 and hid the money through multiple accounts before rerouting a &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pit-bull-not-responsible-for-tragic-death-of-infant-in-shock-twist-medical-examiner\/\" title=\"Pit Bull Not Responsible for Tragic Death of Infant in Shock Twist: Medical Examiner\">substantial portion&#038;rdquo<\/a>; of it to her congressional campaign.<\/p>\n<p>Cherfilus-McCormick called the indictment an &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/rep-cherfilus-mccormick-releases-statement-recent-indictment\">unjust, baseless, sham<\/a>&rdquo; in a statement released Thursday, insisting she is innocent.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues,&rdquo; Cherfilus-McCormick said. &ldquo;From day one, I have coordinated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Cherfilus-McCormick has been under investigation by congressional ethics watchdogs since 2023. In May, the Office of Congressional Ethics recommended that the House Ethics Committee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3425729\/cherfilus-mccormick-house-rules-campaign-finance-laws-ethics-panel\/\">investigate the congresswoman<\/a> after it found enough evidence to suggest that she may have requested funds for a for-profit entity and violated campaign finance laws.<\/p>\n<p>In the wake of the indictment, Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) said he would file a censure resolution against Cherfilus-McCormick. But on Thursday, he said he&rsquo;d forgo a censure and move straight to a motion to expel the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\">Florida<\/a> congresswoman.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Defrauding the federal government and disaster victims of $5 million is an automatic disqualifier from serving in elected office,&rdquo; he said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/repgregsteube\/status\/1991525804476354920?s=46\">post on X<\/a>. &ldquo;Cherfilus-McCormick needs to be swiftly removed from the House before she can inflict any more harm on Congress, her district, and the State of Florida.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be filing the resolution today. If she refuses to resign and save <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a> the embarrassment of having to expel her, I will bring this resolution to the floor for a vote,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<p>A censure resolution against Cherfilus-McCormick would have made this the fifth one this week. Once a rare reprimand for high crimes and misdemeanors, both parties have now started to use censures as a form of mudslinging rather than a rebuke for extremely poor behavior.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3893353\/house-members-react-shelia-cherfilus-mccormick-indictment-most-egregious-abuses-of-public-trust\/\">HOUSE MEMBERS REACT TO FLORIDA DEMOCRAT&rsquo;S INDICTMENT: &lsquo;MOST EGREGIOUS ABUSES OF PUBLIC TRUST&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Speaker <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-johnson\/\">Mike Johnson<\/a> (R-LA) said prior to Steube&rsquo;s expulsion plans that he anticipated a censure to come against Cherfilus-McCormick.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That seems to be the thing to do now, so we&rsquo;ll see,&rdquo; Johnson said. &ldquo;I would like to get back to normal Congress. It&rsquo;s just that no one knows what that looks like anymore.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cherfilus-McCormick resigns subcommittee role after indictment<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2512835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/fl-rep.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[35880,65368,43492,36155,33117],"class_list":["post-2512833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-democratic-leadership","tag-doj-indictment","tag-florida-politics","tag-government-accountability","tag-political-scandal"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/fl-rep.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2512833"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512833\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2512837,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512833\/revisions\/2512837"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2512835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2512833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2512833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2512833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}