![Republican Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett trolled California Rep. Kevin McCarthy after their alleged physical altercation, telling the network that McCarthy will likely go on to be a lobbyist. [Screenshot CNN]](https://images.dailycaller.com/image/width=960,height=411,fit=cover,f=auto/https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screenshot-2023-11-15-at-8.48.36-AM-e1700056168193.png "Republican Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett trolled California Rep. Kevin McCarthy after their alleged physical altercation, telling the network that McCarthy will likely go on to be a lobbyist. [Screenshot CNN]")
Republican Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett trolled California Rep. Kevin McCarthy after their alleged physical altercation, telling CNN that McCarthy will likely go on to be a lobbyist.
Burchett and McCarthy allegedly got into a heated confrontation as they were leaving a closed-door meeting, with McCarthy allegedly purposely bumping into Burchett. Burchett later claims McCarthy elbowed him in the back and called it a “clean shot to the kidneys.”
Audio recorded by an NPR reporter who was present at the time of the incident shows Burchett calling McCarthy out for allegedly elbowing him on purpose, calling him a “jerk” for allegedly doing so. McCarthy has denied the allegations. (RELATED: GOP Rep. Tim Burchett Absolutely Flames Reporter’s Outfit In Response To Gov’t Shutdown Question)
“Whatever has happened between you and the former Speaker…does it just go back to when you thought he was being condescending in a phone call before you voted to oust him? Is there something deeper here? Why are you at this point with him right now?” CNN’s Phil Mattingly asked.
“Yeah, I have no idea, it’s really a bizarre thing that just happened. I’m sure right after he did it, he regretted it. And I have moved on. I have no vengeance towards him. I prayed for him this morning as a matter of fact because I know he’s hurting, even though he does have $17 million in his account to play mischief in everybody’s campaigns, which he’s frequently said he will do. It’s just a sad commentary on his life. I’m sorry for him. I really am. I feel sorry for him.”
WATCH:
“Would you like to see him leave and resign?” Mattingly asked.
“I don’t care what he does. Really. It doesn’t matter. The sooner he leaves though, the sooner he will be making seven figures being a lobbyist. I mean, let’s be honest, he’s not going back to Bakersfield. Let’s just be honest about that. He’ll be lobbying up here and making big money … if he feels like he doesn’t have a shot back to the speakership, and I suspect after Mike Johnson’s deal last night, he won’t be back,” Burchett said.
Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz filed an ethics complaint against McCarthy following the alleged incident.