McCarthy won't support Santos' reelection bid after indictment

McCarthy also said he would call on Santos to resign if the House Ethics Committee finds that he broke the law.

Published: May 11, 2023 9:59am

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he will not support fellow Republican Rep. George Santos for reelection after the New York Republican lawmaker was indicted on 13 counts for alleged financial crimes.

"No, I’m not going to support him," McCarthy, a California lawmaker, told CNN just after the indictment was announced.

McCarthy also said he would call on Santos to resign if the House Ethics Committee, which has been investigating the congressman since February, finds that he broke the law.

Santos, who has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges, is fundraising off of his indictment and is seeking reelection in 2024 as he faces numerous investigations.

When CNN asked McCarthy whether he would work to try and defeat Santos in the Republican primary, the House speaker said: "Santos has a lot going on" and "has other things to focus on in his life" than his reelection.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.