Why Newt Gingrich regrets Bill Clinton’s impeachment
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich says it was a ‘mistake’ to impeach Clinton over sex scandal
Newt Gingrich admitted it was a “mistake” to impeach Bill Clinton over the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal, stating it drew attention away from Clinton’s perjury charge.
Gingrich, who led the 1998 House impeachment inquiry, said the real problem was Clinton’s perjury in a sexual harassment case involving Paula Jones, which he considered a felony.
He explained that he realized the inquiry was “off course” when his daughters pointed out the fallout was not worth the effort, indicating he misunderstood cultural evolution.
Gingrich emphasized the severity of Clinton’s perjury, which resulted in his law license being stripped, arguing that focusing on the affair trivialized the more serious offense.
Ironically, Gingrich later admitted to having an extramarital affair with a congressional staffer at the same time he was leading the impeachment inquiry against Clinton.
