A recent Foreign Affairs Committee hearing took an unexpected turn when a GOP lawmaker directed profanity at a fellow Republican colleague. The incident occurred during a discussion about the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Chair Michael McCaul of Texas became visibly frustrated when Rep. Darrel Issa of California exceeded his allotted speaking time. Despite repeated attempts by McCaul to signal that Issa's time had expired, the California Republican continued to press Ret. Gen. Mark Milley with questions.
McCaul, eager to move the proceedings along, reminded Issa that his time had ended and attempted to recognize another member of the committee, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks from Iowa. However, Issa seemed unaware of the time constraints and expressed surprise when McCaul intervened.
McCaul's outburst, telling Issa to 'go f--- yourself,' was captured on a hot mic, leading to a brief moment of tension in the hearing room. A spokesperson for McCaul later explained that the chairman was enforcing time limits to ensure the committee could proceed to a classified briefing.
In a statement following the incident, McCaul acknowledged his lapse in composure, describing it as uncharacteristic and extending an apology to Issa, whom he considers a friend. In response, Issa's office downplayed the exchange, noting that he has faced harsher criticism from colleagues in the past.
Jonathan Wilcox, a spokesman for Rep. Issa, emphasized their commitment to asking challenging questions and holding witnesses accountable, even in the face of pushback. The incident serves as a reminder of the tensions that can arise during high-stakes congressional hearings, particularly on contentious issues like the Afghanistan withdrawal.
