Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has foreseen the departure of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from Congress by the year’s end, following the historic expulsion vote of former Representative George Santos (R-N.Y.) on Friday.
In a post on X on Saturday, Swalwell declared, “With Santos gone, you’re hearing it here first: the next GOP member to leave Congress will be @SpeakerMcCarthy.”
He continued, “No way he stays. A guy who allegedly elbows his colleagues from behind is too hesitant to serve out a full term with them. I bet he’s gone by the end of the year. What say you?”
Swalwell’s mention of “kidney punches” referred to a disputed accusation that McCarthy intentionally elbowed Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) as he walked behind the lawmaker last month.
McCarthy denied intent, stating at the time, “I guess our elbows hit as I walked by,” and added, “If I would hit somebody, they would—I know hit them.”
The incident occurred just after Burchett contributed to McCarthy’s ousting as Speaker of the House. McCarthy, who had long aspired to the top seat in Congress, held the gavel for less than a year after a faction of Republicans moved to remove him amid allegations of unfulfilled promises and conflicting policy priorities.
During McCarthy’s tenure as Speaker, he resisted calls to expel Santos, relying on every vote in his narrow House majority. The situation changed after the Ethics Committee released its final report, detailing evidence against Santos, and newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) assumed leadership.
Tensions between the two California congressmen peaked earlier in the year when McCarthy, as Speaker, formally rejected Swalwell’s appointment to the House Intelligence Committee.
McCarthy has consistently dismissed reports and rumors of leaving the House mid-term after losing the Speaker’s gavel.
“I’m not resigning. I’ve got a lot more work to do,” McCarthy told reporters in October, affirming his intention to seek re-election in 2024.
