Washington, D.C. isn’t a place for policy debates anymore; it’s become a battleground of personal vendettas. The veneer of legislative duty has cracked, revealing a raw and relentless cycle of attacks, even amongst members of the same party.
The recent government reopening wasn’t a triumph of collaboration, but a brief pause in the infighting. While some legislative tasks were completed, the dominant force on Capitol Hill has been a relentless pursuit of retribution and political scoring.
The House of Representatives has devolved into a chamber where members target each other with startling frequency. This isn’t limited to policy disagreements; it’s deeply personal, extending even to those who aren’t voting members of Congress.
Delegate Stacey Plaskett, representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, became a target, facing a censure attempt fueled by past involvement in impeachment proceedings against a former president. The effort failed, but it signaled a willingness to weaponize personal history for political gain.
The fallout from the Plaskett censure attempt led to a temporary truce, but only until new accusations surfaced. Representative Cory Mills now faces calls for discipline, while Representative Nancy Mace finds herself under scrutiny for a public outburst at an airport.
Even centrist lawmakers aren’t immune. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez initiated a rebuke of a retiring colleague, Representative Chuy Garcia, over a controversial maneuver involving his chief of staff.
Garcia’s sudden decision to step down, coupled with his chief of staff’s immediate candidacy, sparked accusations of a pre-arranged plan to secure a seat for a chosen successor. The move felt like a throwback to a bygone era of ruthless political maneuvering.
The House ultimately sanctioned Garcia, with a surprising bipartisan vote revealing a deep undercurrent of frustration. The outcome all but guarantees his chief of staff will win the election, but the victory will likely be met with skepticism.
The accusations didn’t stop there. Representative Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick faces calls for expulsion following an indictment related to COVID-19 aid, and Representative LaMonica McIver continues to serve despite charges of assaulting ICE agents.
The conflict extends beyond individual lawmakers. A video of several Democratic representatives advising service members to defy illegal orders prompted an investigation and threats of military discipline from a high-ranking official.
Even the personal lives of lawmakers are now fair game. A former president publicly attacked a sitting congressman over his recent marriage, unleashing a barrage of insults on social media.
As the holiday season approaches, goodwill is in short supply on Capitol Hill. The relentless cycle of attacks shows no sign of slowing down, especially with lawmakers returning from extended breaks and eager to make up for lost time.
Legislation has taken a backseat to personal battles. It’s simply easier to tear down opponents and score political points than to engage in the difficult work of governing. The focus has shifted from practical politics to something far more destructive.
