(CNN) – Newt Gingrich is calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to resign her leadership post Tuesday, days after deriding the California Democrat as a "trivial politician" over her description of what the CIA has told her about aggressive government interrogation techniques.
In a column for the conservative publication Human Events, the former House Speaker takes aim at Pelosi's press conference last week, during which she said the CIA did not tell her in 2002 that it used the aggressive interrogation technique of waterboarding. She went on to allege the CIA routinely misleads Congress.
"She charged that the CIA, deliberately and as a matter of policy, violated the law by lying to Congress," Gingrich writes in the column. "And with that allegation, Speaker Pelosi disqualified herself from the office she holds."
"Speaker Pelosi has damaged America's safety," Gingrich also writes. "She's made America less secure by sending a signal to the men and women defending our country that they can't count on their leaders to defend them."
In an interview on ABC Wednesday, Gingrich elaborated on his comments, saying CIA agents aren't likely to trust Pelosi with sensitive information going forward given her allegation.
"If you were a CIA agent today and you were told to brief Nancy Pelosi, how could you have any sense of confidence in telling her anything?" Gingrich said.
A Democratic leadership aide Wednesday called Gingrich's comments a "political ploy."
"This is an ethically challenged former Speaker of the House who is out to sell books," the aide said.
Congressional Democrats on Tuesday also appeared to rally behind Pelosi, with her No. 2, Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, saying he believes the speaker is being truthful in her statements about 7-year-old briefings.
"Republicans are going to stay on it as long as you guys keep printing it, as long as it continues to be a television item – not about the substance, but about the distraction," Hoyer told reporters Wednesday. "As long as you want to feed on it, the Republicans will continue to feed you."
Meanwhile, one of Pelosi's closest allies in the House, Connecticut Democrat John Larson, acknowledged to CNN that the Speaker's news conference last week could have been better, but insisted there hasn't been any fallout among Democrats.
"Perhaps it wasn't one of her best press conferences. But certainly everyone in this caucus stands behind her to be the lead in our caucus. I don't know if it could have been done better or not, but our caucus is entirely behind her," he said.
– CNN's Deirdre Walsh contributed to this story
From CNN Politics
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Newt,
You seem to be speaking from a higher moral ground ? Did you not resign the Speaker's position in disgrace ? How dare you come back out and tell the American people anything, after your failure to live up to the phony right's higher ground !
The wicked witch of the west needs to go!
Please, leave this woman alone and go after those who ordered the illegal torture, invaded a country on the basis of lies, and are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. Not to mention, who have dragged our country into an economic ditch that we won't climb out of for yours.
Gingrich and Cheney and the rest – GO AWAY!
Newt may have been forced to resign because of personal transgressions – - which affected only a few. Pelosi's lying is affecting the Country ! ! ! ! !
There are 2 ways to gain Popularity:
1. By doing something Good.
2. By talking against the Person at # 1 above.
Gingrich gains Popularity by using the tactics at # 2 above. That is by talking against Pelosi.
Who cares about Newt.
When you have an idiot, Bush, as your front man, what do you expect from the rest of his cronies? Lot of fools they are!
Newt, Newt, Newt. Another tired angry old man. He did not resign when he lied, or cheated on his wife while trying to casterate Bil Clinton. You were a failure, your GOP is a failure, and OMG Steele is an utter failure. Go Away! You could not be elected Dog Catcher.
Hello Pot! Wow he is really delusional
Nancy Pelosi is the gift that keeps on giving.
Does Newt Gingrich have anymore credibility?
It's time for Gingrich to shut up and go away. And take Dick with you, Newtie.
I've been complaining for years about media coverage of Republican "issues" while the Democrats defended the practice and called it serching for "the truth" – Nice to see the shoe on the other foot.
Oh yes, time to reach for the "America is less safe" dodge...
Newt might be shooting himself in the foot if Nancy Pelosi resigns. A new House Speaker could be chosen that isn't as polarizing, and one that the Republicans can't use to put money in their coffers.
New still hasn't learned: Think before you speak.
I for one do not care if she knew about in 2002 or not. If so, and, if applicable she should have her day in "court" or "hearings" just like everyone else. I suspect though even if she did know about it she was in no position to do anything about it. What, inform the media? What, leak top secret matters to others? If she knew and dissented and/ or sought legal recourse the Bush administration would have squashed her like a bug. There's the real crime here...go away Gingrich.
Desperate Newt! Judging from your background I don't think you have any moral platform to shout from. Let this issue work its way out-You are far from anyone to cast stones without knowing all the FACTS. Better forucs on that party of yours falling away.
A Republic administration oks torture and a Democrat should resign? Give me a break. Investigate all and jail those who broke international or domesticate law and force those out of the government, whether Democrates or Republicans, who acted inappropriately, but don't single out a Democrate to pay for Republican crimes to score some political points.
Ask a democrat to resign? PUHHHLEASE. Libs have no morals. Good luck with all of that. I think she needs to be deported.
Time for the democrats to get the media to back down....continuation of this story is not in their best interest.
Oh get a grip on it Republicans, it was your President that mis led the american people about mass weapons, this last admistration is the one that OK the torture so they should be the ones that have to answer..........I say bring Bush, Cheney and the rest to trial.........and then let us get on with the business at hand
There are other people in congress who said the CIA was not truthful. Why aren't people focusing on other claims from other reps in congress? What about Graham? His claims are moot right now. Amazaing.
My question is...is you find she was not truthful...what then?
Why does anyone care what this washed-up has been says? Just for once Democrats need to ignore the bleating from the extreme right and remind the public that lying, torture and anti-Constitutional legislation are things the Democrats have rescued our nation from. The last thing we need to do is listen to the ex-leader of a corrupt and arrogant past.
If Nancy Pelosi does not resign, she will bring down the Democrat House of Cards like a stiff wind with her in 2010.
So stick around, Speaker Pelosi! I'm looking forward to the next elections. 2010 and 2012! We'll put a stop to this runaway porked out beloated debt-up-to-our-ears liberal social agenda pushing government very quickly. We have to...we owe it to the next generations of Americans.
I hope Pelosi stay where she is and Newt keep complaining until 2013.
newt = loser.