More altercations on the Hill.
According to a report from The Daily Caller, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) were involved in an altercation after a closed-door GOP meeting; McCarthy reportedly elbowed Burchett in the kidney while walking through the halls.
Burchett described the moment to CNN on the steps of the Capitol.
“I was doing an interview with Claudia from NPR, a lovely lady and when she was asking me a question and at that time I got elbowed in the back. And it kind of caught me off guard because it was a clean shot to the kidneys. And I turned back and there was Kevin, and I, for me, that guy was kind of what the heck just happened and then I you know, I chased after him, of course, sees because I’ve stated many times he’s a, he’s a bully with $7 million and security detail,” Burchett said in the interview.
“You know, he’s the type of guy that when you’re a kid with door rock, open the fence and run home and hide behind his Mama’s skirt. And he just, you know, he from behind that kind of stuff that you know, it’s not the way we handle things in Tennessee, we have a problem so I’m gonna look him in the eye,” Burchett added.
Watch the clip below:
Tim Burchett describes the moment where he claims that Kevin McCarthy hit him from behind with a "clean shot to the kidney" in the halls of the Capitol after the GOP conference meeting. pic.twitter.com/lTyH6dM1cQ
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 14, 2023
The X account Citizen Free Press leaked alleged audio from the incident. Listen below.
"Why'd you elbow me in the back Kevin!? You're pathetic! What a jerk."
NPR was recording audio when Kevin McCarthy allegedly shoved Tim Burchett in the kidneys. pic.twitter.com/Lp6NiivnQg
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) November 14, 2023
Finally, it’s being reported that Florida congressman Matt Gaetz is filing a formal ethics complaint against McCarthy over his altercation with Burchett.
SCOOP: Matt Gaetz is filing a formal ethics complaint against Kevin McCarthy over his altercation w/ Tim Burchett this morning – the latest sign of escalating tension between McCarthy & his critics in the wake of his ouster.
Gaetz didn’t witness but anyone can file a complaint. pic.twitter.com/eT8FKzJ8in
— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) November 14, 2023
NEW: Matt Gaetz is filing an ethics complaint against Kevin McCarthy following the former House speaker's altercation with Rep. Tim Burchett. https://t.co/lkDKcIuGJx
— Axios (@axios) November 14, 2023
This story is developing…