The US House Minority Leader removed Congressman Steve King from his House committees Monday following recent comments King made about white nationalism and white supremacy.

Sources say House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of California met with King Monday and removed him from the judiciary, agriculture and small business committees. King released a statement saying “Leader McCarthy’s decision to remove me from committees is a political decision that ignores the truth.”

Sources say McCarthy’s office had said the House Republican Steering Committee does not allow King to sit on any committees when it issues its recommendations to assign members to committees. And the Steering Committee then voted unanimously to remove King from his House committees.

The discussion was had due to the remarks that King gave in an interview with the New York Times last week. King said “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” He went on to say “Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?”

King’s statement on Monday defended his rebuttal to the article saying “When I used the word ‘THAT’ it was in reference ONLY to Western Civilization and NOT to any previously stated evil ideology ALL of which I have denounced. My record as a vocal advocate for Western Civilization is nearly as full as my record in defense of Freedom of Speech.” He went on to say to McCarthy “Ultimately, I told him ‘You have to do what you have to do and I will do what I have to do.’ I will continue to point out the truth and work with all the vigor that I have to represent 4th District Iowans for at least the next two years.”

Several Republicans, including both Iowa US Senators, have denounced King’s comments. King also has two Republican challengers for the 2020 primary including Iowa Senate Assistant Majority Leader Randy Feenstra and former businessman and educator Bret Richards.