Daily Beast columnist Margaret Carlson on Monday said Rep. Katie Hill's (D. Calif.) resignation after allegations of sexual impropriety proves that women and Democrats are treated differently in Congress.
"I think there's a double-double standard on the Hill," Carlson said on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports. "One is that women are treated more strictly than a man. And Democrats are following the strictures of the Ethics Committee and others on sexual misconduct more strongly than Republicans are."
Carlson and fellow guest WBUR Washington correspondent Kimberly Atkins then lamented the "tragedy" of Hill, who has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a member of her campaign staff, in addition to having an affair with her legislative director. Carlson compared Hill's "sacrifice" to that of former senator Al Franken (D., Minn.), who resigned after a string of sexual misconduct allegations.
"Nancy Pelosi is doing the right thing, but it's still something of a tragedy and I'm sure that she also feels as Al Franken did at the time, which was if you're losing the support of the leadership, the best thing you can do is to get out of the way," Carlson said. "And it's a sacrifice for her, but she did it."
"On the one hand, she is the subject of this ethics investigation, she is also purportedly the victim of a crime," Atkins said.
Hill resigned Sunday evening in the wake of the sexual misconduct allegations, which included so-called revenge porn pictures of her, such as one of Hill naked combing her staffer's hair. Hill has blamed the scandal on her "abusive husband," whom she is divorcing. She has also defended herself by saying the relationship between her and her subordinate was consensual.
Hill released a video on Monday, blaming the "horrible smear campaign" on her husband and "hateful political operatives."
You all deserve to hear from me about why I made this devastating decision and where things go from here. I said the fight continues. I mean it, and I hope you’re with me. https://t.co/ogKkyW7I6f
— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) October 28, 2019