CRBC News
Culture
Society
Security
Health
Conflict
Science
Technology
Politics
Environment
Lifestyle
Economy

McCarthy Calls Nancy Mace One of the 'Least Ethical' Members, Says He Wants Her to 'Get the Help She Needs'

Kevin McCarthy labeled Rep. Nancy Mace among Congress’ "least ethical" and "least respected" members and said he wants her to "get the help she needs." He made the remarks during a televised interview that also criticized Rep. Eric Swalwell and referenced Swalwell’s removal from the House Intelligence Committee over reported ties to a suspected Chinese operative. Mace was one of eight Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy as speaker in 2023; McCarthy later backed a failed primary challenge to her seat. Reporting also revealed staff handbook guidance requiring frequent TV bookings for Mace.

03:20 PM, 11/25/2025Politics

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Rep. Nancy Mace is among the "least ethical" and "least respected" members of Congress and added that he hopes she will "get the help she needs." He made the remark during a televised interview that also addressed Rep. Eric Swalwell and national security concerns.

McCarthy criticized Swalwell for a reported relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative and said he removed Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee when he was speaker. "If you get top-secret knowledge, the very least is, you can’t sleep with a Chinese spy," McCarthy said.

"I can only hope the Democrats nominate him because every time in Congress we would vote on a bipartisan basis who was the least ethical, who was the least respected, it was always a tie between Swalwell and Nancy Mace. And I just don’t see these people leading anywhere."

When pressed about Mace, McCarthy responded, "No, no, I don’t. I want her to get the help she needs. I just don’t want to put her in a position that she makes decisions."

Mace was one of eight House Republicans who voted to remove McCarthy as speaker in 2023. After his ouster, McCarthy supported a Republican primary challenger to her seat; that effort ultimately failed.

Shortly after McCarthy’s removal, excerpts from a handbook for Mace’s congressional staff were published by reporting outlets. Former staffers said earlier versions of the handbook instructed staff to book Mace on national television one to three times per day—a minimum of nine national appearances per week—and to secure at least six local TV appearances weekly.

The exchange underscores the lingering tensions within the GOP and highlights the contentious personal and political dynamics between current and former leaders.

Similar Articles

Trending