Rep. Matt Gaetz Makes History: Leads Ouster of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy
It’s the first time it’s been done—a speaker getting the boot. And Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is the man responsible, as he filed the motion to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He said he would. He did. That seems to be rare in politics these days, and it’s definitely rare for Republicans to do anything this bold. Young gun Gaetz, who is only 41 years old, demonstrated more moxie than those who have been in politics longer than he’s been alive.
Gaetz has painted McCarthy as a man who has not kept his word, had no intentions of keeping his word, and had been negotiating with Democrats while telling Republicans something completely different. McCarthy told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday, “I think we need to rip off the Band-Aid. I think we need to move on with new leadership that will be trustworthy.”
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McCarthy’s response was for Gaetz to “bring it on,” asserting, “I’ll survive.” Well, Gaetz brought it, and McCarthy did not survive.
The vote in the House of Representatives to oust McCarthy was 216-210. The eight Republicans who voted to remove him are:
Andy Biggs of Arizona
Ken Buck of Colorado
Tim Burchett of Tennessee
Eli Crane of Arizona
Matt Gaetz of Florida
Bob Good of Virginia
Nancy Mace of South Carolina
Matt Rosendale of Montana
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Let’s remember that it took 15 votes for McCarthy to even become speaker in January. His refusal to pack it in back then was an embarrassment, I felt, which I addressed then—either in writing or on my podcast. It came across as a ridiculous lust for power, and I couldn’t figure out why former President Donald Trump was willing to support him as he did.
McCarthy said after the ouster that he will not run for the speakership again. It remains to be seen who will fill that important role.