House Republicans had a rough political climate this week. Their last attempt to embarrass Democrats by censoring Democratic Representative Stacey Plaskett for having communicated with Jeffrey Epstein failed spectacularly. Ongoing controversies are only further complicating that situation. Republican representative Cory Mills, under investigation for ethical violations, was recently given a restraining order by the GOP herself.
The contentious failed censure vote on Plaskett underscored the fractures within the Republican Party. Democrats have been calling for the release of all Epstein-related documents. They call for clarity about the ties between Epstein and powerful figures in politics. Pandemonium ensued on the floor of the House of Representatives. Mills’ advocacy made him the center of a now-infamous showdown with Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert. Boebert openly lamented her fellow Republicans for their criticism through the whole exchange, with incendiary barbs aimed at Mills.
In October, a Florida judge issued a domestic violence restraining order against Mills barring him from having contact with the victim. He’s been accused of stolen valor, financial misconduct and domestic abuse. This order followed a complaint from a former girlfriend, who alleged Mills had threatened to release private photos. Mills has denied all these assault allegations, but the scandal isn’t just these assault allegations, it’s what these controversies tell us about his behavior.
In a shocking reversal, Democrats voted to withdraw their own censure resolution against Mills. To do this immediately after the vote on Plaskett’s censure is particularly inflammatory. The move drew ire from pro-business conservatives and left-leaning factions within the party alike. Even South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace condemned the protection afforded Mills as “another backroom deal.” She indicated that some political maneuvering was at play to protect Mills from ultimately having to answer for this.
Kat Cammack expressed her discontent with the situation, stating, “This backroom deal shit is swampy, wrong and always deserves to be called out.” Her comments illustrate a growing mood within parts of the GOP. Above all, they believe we shouldn’t exploit ethical inconsistencies for short-term political benefit.
Mills, a self-identified constitutionalist, had voted against censuring Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar back in September. His hand in each has earned his attention with a different shade of disaster. Critics are calling his protection, with Plaskett, to help protect both a Republican under ethical investigation and a Democrat under fire from her connections to Epstein.
The unprecedented confrontation on the House floor escalated scrutiny of Mills. The heated exchange between Boebert and Mills showcased the fractious atmosphere among Republicans, as Boebert appeared to hold her colleagues accountable for not taking a firmer stance against Mills’ alleged misconduct.
Observers note that Mace could still force a vote to censure Mills if she chooses to pursue that route, potentially stripping him of his assignments on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. Such a vote would definitely send shockwaves through the party. As they grapple with these considerable internal tensions, they need to maintain their reputational crusade against would-be ethical transgressors.
As tensions grow among the Republican establishment and President Trump, it is unclear how the party will address these issues in the future. The relationship between Mills and Plaskett underscores the challenges to addressing accusations of misconduct. Yet, party unity is an essential worry as well.