House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) expressed support for embattled Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) on Tuesday while acknowledging that his colleague “made in error in judgement” by speaking to a white nationalist group 12 years ago.
“More than a decade ago, Representative Scalise made an error in judgment, and he was right to acknowledge it was wrong and inappropriate,” Boehner said in a statement. “Like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I know Steve to be a man of high integrity and good character. He has my full confidence as our Whip, and he will continue to do great and important work for all Americans.”
Scalise admitted Tuesday in a statement that he appeared at a 2002 event hosted by the David Duke-founded European-American Unity and Rights Organization, calling it a “mistake” he regrets.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) also issued a statement of support for Scalise.
“Congressman Scalise acknowledged he made a mistake and has condemned the views that organization espouses,” he said. “I’ve known him as a friend for many years and I know that he does not share the beliefs of that organization.”
This post has been updated.
