Rep. Brendan Boyle, a House Democrat from Pennsylvania, has been vocal about his disdain for former President Donald Trump and has called for him to face criminal prosecution. However, despite this strong stance, Boyle has avoided calling for criminal prosecution of his own younger brother, Democratic state Rep. Kevin Boyle. Kevin has faced legal troubles, including a warrant being issued for his arrest and a drunken tirade at a local bar. In response to Trump’s indictment in Washington, D.C. last August, Brendan Boyle’s office released a statement supporting the criminal charges against Trump, but did not address his brother’s legal issues.
In September 2021, Kevin Boyle was arrested for harassment and violating a protection from abuse order filed by his estranged wife. He was also captured on video at a Philadelphia-area bar engaging in a drunken altercation with staff, threatening to use his power to shut down the establishment. Despite these incidents, Kevin faced no charges related to the bar altercation, but was removed from his committee chairmanship in the Pennsylvania state House and barred from entering the Capitol building. Since then, he has been unable to cast votes, and other members have voted on his behalf via proxy.
Due to Kevin Boyle’s legal and personal issues, his district offices have remained closed, with constituent services available by appointment only. There were calls from his Democratic colleagues in the House to expel him from the body due to his incapacitation. Recently, an arrest warrant was issued for Kevin for violating his wife’s protection from abuse order again. Brendan Boyle released a statement acknowledging his brother’s mental health condition and stating that their family is doing their best to support him. However, he did not address whether his brother should face prosecution or step down from his role as a state representative.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced the withdrawal of Kevin Boyle’s arrest warrant, citing new information regarding the protection from abuse order. This came just before voters cast their ballots in Kevin’s primary race against another Democratic opponent. Despite this development, Kevin lost the primary and there is no indication that he will not serve out the remainder of his term. Brendan Boyle has not publicly commented on the latest developments in his brother’s legal issues.
Overall, Brendan Boyle has been vocal in his support for holding individuals accountable for their actions, such as former President Trump. However, when it comes to his own brother’s legal troubles, he has refrained from calling for criminal prosecution or addressing the issue of his brother’s ability to fulfill his duties as a state representative. Kevin Boyle’s legal and personal struggles have caused disruptions in his role as a legislator, leading to calls for his removal from office by some of his colleagues. Despite the withdrawal of the arrest warrant, the situation surrounding Kevin Boyle’s legal issues remains unresolved.
