In a display of tense confrontations last month, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) engaged in a heated exchange with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). The dispute between Swalwell and McCarthy began with the House Republicans’ vote to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on June 21 and escalated when Swalwell reportedly called McCarthy a derogatory term on the House floor the following day, as reported by The Daily Beast.
When approached for comment, Swalwell did not discuss the story, but did not deny the reports, while McCarthy did not respond to the outlet’s requests. HuffPost has reached out to both McCarthy and Swalwell’s offices for further comments.
The conflict originated when Swalwell led Democrats in protest after Schiff’s censure, expressing his disappointment in Republicans after the vote. Witnesses claim that during this time, Swalwell stood near McCarthy’s podium and allegedly made critical remarks, calling him weak. Although there is brief audio footage from the session that captures someone calling McCarthy weak, it is uncertain if the voice belonged to Swalwell.
According to sources, the exchange ended with McCarthy giving Swalwell a cold, 10-second stare. The next day, the altercation continued between the politicians. Witnesses state that McCarthy confronted Swalwell as the Democrat was heading to the bathroom during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the capital. McCarthy allegedly warned Swalwell about making similar comments in the future, stating that “If you ever say something like that to me again, I’m gonna kick the shit out of you.” Swalwell reportedly responded, “Are we really gonna do this?”
In response, McCarthy retaliated by saying, “Call me a pussy again, and I’ll kick your ass.” Swalwell then allegedly replied, “You. Are. A. Pussy.” The exchange resulted in a brief stare-down before McCarthy allowed Swalwell to pass, according to onlookers.
This is not the first time these California politicians have clashed. McCarthy previously removed Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee, along with Schiff, after assuming the speakership in January 2023, following allegations that Swalwell had a relationship with a Chinese spy. In response, Swalwell criticized McCarthy for pandering to the right wing of his caucus.
The altercation between Swalwell and McCarthy follows another reported conflict between two other House members, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Co.). Greene allegedly called Boebert a derogatory term after Boebert appropriated Greene’s plans to force a vote on impeaching President Joe Biden.
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