Jeffries silent as Rep Cherfilus-McCormick faces expulsion threat

A bipartisan group of lawmakers found Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., guilty of more than two dozen ethics violations, but House Democratic leadership stands by their embattled colleague.

“My understanding is that the Ethics Committee has one final step in its process, so I will not get in the way of the Ethics Committee process, which will be completed upon our return,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DY) said Friday morning. “I’ll have more to say later.”

House Democratic Conference Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) also told Punchbowl News on Friday that he had not seen the ethics panel’s findings, but added “that doesn’t sound good” when told it found the agency had committed 25 ethics violations.

These charges include money laundering, making false statements in campaign finance reports and claiming special privileges from organizations that receive federal funds.

ALLEGED DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK Moves One Step Closer to Expulsion

The Florida Democrat faces a separate federal criminal allegation that could result in more than fifty years in prison if convicted.

Cherfilus-McCormick, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of illegally diverting millions in disaster relief funds improperly paid to her family’s healthcare company to finance her run for Congress and the purchase of luxury items, including a giant diamond ring.

The House Ethics Committee said it would announce in April that a recommended sentence for Cherfilus-McCormick could be as severe as deportation. Under House rules, a two-thirds majority must support a resolution to formally expel the Florida Democrat from the chamber.

Jeffries’ refusal so far to condemn Cherfilus-McCormick’s behavior reflects the relative silence of the Democratic caucus, but some rank-and-file members are beginning to break their silence on the Florida Democrat.

Moderate Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., on Friday became the first Democratic lawmaker to publicly issue a statement calling on Cherfilus-McCormick to resign or be removed from office following the guilty verdict.

“You cannot commit crimes to achieve legitimate power,” Gluesenkamp Perez wrote. “Since he has been found guilty, he should resign or be dismissed.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, DY, has so far refused to censure Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McComrick, an accused lawmaker who faces a looming threat of expulsion. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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A handful of congressional Democrats said Friday they would consider supporting the deportation order if the accused lawmaker does not leave on his own terms.

A Jeffries spokesperson did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Despite the looming threat of expulsion, Cherfilus-McCormick has given no indication he will resign. He is also running for a fourth term in the November midterm elections.

“I look forward to proving my innocence,” Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement Friday. “Until then, my focus will remain where it belongs: supporting the wonderful people of Florida’s 20th District who sent me to Washington to fight on their behalf.”

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., was the first congressional Democrat to call for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to resign or be removed from office following the conclusion of a rare House ethics hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)

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The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the campaign arm of House Republicans, took issue with Congressional Democrats’ lack of outrage over Cherfilus-McCormick’s behavior.

“The Ethics Committee confirmed that Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick broke the rules, and House Democrats still haven’t said anything,” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement Friday. he said.

“Their silence is a choice. Democrats can advocate for accountability or continue to protect a proven violator of ethics, but voters won’t forget that.”