Kevin McCarthy says he won't run for House speaker again after historic ouster
McCarthy became the first speaker ever removed by his House colleagues, and he leaves no obvious successor


The House stripped Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) of his gavel on Tuesday, with eight Republicans joining every Democrat present in the 116 to 110 vote to vacate the speaker's chair.
The motion to oust McCarthy came from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), one of the handful of hard-right Republicans who had tormented McCarthy throughout his historically short speakership. The successful toppling of the speaker was "a move without precedent that left the chamber without a leader and plunged it into chaos," The New York Times reported.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), a close McCarthy ally, was elevated to speaker pro tempore to run the House in a caretaker capacity until a new speaker is elected. He adjourned the House until next week, when potential leaders will make their case to the House GOP caucus. McCarthy said he's out, and he had no obvious successor willing or able to unite the fractious caucus.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Unfortunately, 4% of our conference can join all the Democrats and dictate who could be the Republican speaker in this House," McCarthy told reporters after the vote, per The Wall Street Journal. "I will not run for speaker again. I'll have the conference pick somebody else." McCarthy needed four days and 15 ballots to win the speakership in the first place, and it's not clear he would have the votes to earn it back.
McCarthy "never really held the office of speaker in anything like the historic meaning of that job": able to inspire fear or reward loyalty, John F. Harris wrote at Politico. "At the start, his speakership was effectively an optical illusion. At the end, it was an exercise in self-abasement." If it's any consolation for McCarthy, "he has plenty of company," he added. "For a quarter-century, every Republican to ascend to the speakership has descended from it with his standing diminished," from Newt Gingrich to Paul Ryan.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Who owns Gaza? Israel's occupation plans
The Explainer Egypt, Israel and Britain have ruled the beleaguered territory
-
Savages: a tragi-comedy set in a 'quirky handcrafted world'
The Week Recommends This new animated film by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Claude Barras is undeniably political, but it has a hopeful message
-
Why 'faceless bots' are interviewing job hunters
In The Spotlight Artificial intelligence is taking over a crucial part of recruitment
-
NY's Hochul vows response to Texas gerrymander
Speed Read Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to play ball with redistricting that favors the Democrats
-
Texas Democrats exit state to block redistricting vote
Speed Read More than 51 legislators fled the state in protest of the GOP's plan to redraw congressional districts
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Emil Bove: The start of a MAGA judiciary?
Feature President Trump's former personal attorney is on the verge of being confirmed by Senate Republicans
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
Can Texas redistricting save the US House for the GOP?
Today's Big Question Trump pushes a 'ruthless' new plan, but it could backfire
-
Experts are split on the findings in RFK Jr.'s 'MAHA' report
In the Spotlight The HHS secretary's report targeted processed foods and vaccines, among other things
-
Will Republicans tax the rich?
Today's Big Question Trump is waffling on the possibility of taxing wealthy earners