Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reignited tensions with his Democratic predecessor Wednesday, alleging that Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) routinely belittled Republican lawmakers and used security measures to shut them out of the legislative process.
Appearing on Fox News's "Jesse Watters Primetime," McCarthy discussed a graphic comparing how conservatives and liberals view each other—liberals see conservatives as "savages," while conservatives see liberals as "children." He argued that Pelosi embodied the liberal perspective, treating Republicans with open disdain.
McCarthy claimed Pelosi "really felt this about us," recalling that she would "yell at me sometimes" and insist that Republicans "shouldn't be in the room." He also pointed to the installation of magnetometers—metal detectors—after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack as a tool to block GOP members from entering the chamber. "You couldn't co-author with us," he added, describing an atmosphere of exclusion.
The former speaker framed this as part of a broader erosion of political civility. "It was so outrageous that you couldn't respect the other one," McCarthy said. "We should be able to disagree with somebody without being disrespectful." He claimed Republicans generally respected Democrats despite policy differences, but accused Democrats of treating them like "monsters and murderers."
McCarthy's remarks come amid heightened partisan rhetoric as the midterms approach. His successor, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), has escalated attacks on Democrats, accusing them of plotting a "communist takeover" and warning that "the barbarians are inside the gate" in a recent social media post.
McCarthy's critique also touched on what he called "Trump Derangement Syndrome," a phrase the former president uses to describe intense opposition from the left. He suggested that Pelosi's behavior reflected a similar mindset, where Republicans were viewed as fundamentally illegitimate.
The rising threats to public servants in California and elsewhere underscore the broader climate of political hostility, though McCarthy's focus was on Capitol Hill dynamics. His comments also echo concerns about withheld Medicaid payments to states that have fueled partisan battles over federal funding.
McCarthy's account of Pelosi's conduct—if accurate—highlights the deep-seated animosity that has defined recent congressional relations. Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
