How did this happen, On another landmark day in Washington, we at USA News look to determine Why was McCarthy removed as House Speaker.
The short answer is civil war, the long answer is a little more complicated, but along the lines of traditional power struggle, as the Republicans look to fill the void that Trump has left.
McCarthy is the first Speaker in US history ever to be removed in this way after a motion to vacate.
Lawmakers debated the leadership challenge and voted 216 to 210 to oust him and then the dreaded announcement came.
“The office of speaker of the United States House of Representatives is hereby declared to be vacant,” Rep Steve Womack, declared with the bang of his gavel.
Rep Steve Womack, an Arkansas Republican
This moment is unprecedented in modern US history. The House is now in uncharted waters, but some procedure guides what happens next.
The Rise and Fall of McCarthy
The Rise and Fall of McCarthy is reminiscent of a script from a Hollywood movie. A Story of one that has a fairy tale beginning a tumultuous fall from grace. Groomed early as a potential leader, he found his way up the ranks to the Speaker of the House, replacing Nancy Pelosi.
At the beginning of the year, Kevin McCarthy made modern congressional history by taking four days and 15 ballots to be elected speaker of the House.
Nine months later, he made history again by being the first House speaker removed by a House vote.
The last time such a vote was even held was back in 1910, and that was a maneuver by a powerful House Speaker to demonstrate his strength to his political opponents.
Why was McCarthy removed as House Speaker?
McCarthy was voted out because of a power struggle in the Republican party. The opposition led by Gaetz took the fight against McCarthy and won.
Today’s vote has demonstrated McCarthy’s political weakness – and the divisions among House Republicans that have made it difficult for the party to govern effectively.
Two Democratic lawmakers were overheard saying.
“Let the civil war begin,” said one.
Republican lawmakers – The House
The other laughed heartily, but with a concerned look on his face, which symbolized the fall of the Republicans.
Meanwhile, Matt Gaetz, the leader of this coup against McCarthy, was swarmed by reporters as he left the Capitol.
House Speakers used to be able to run their chamber with an iron fist, with a range of ways to reward loyalty and punish dissent.
In this House, at least, that is no longer the case.
BREAKING: Speaker McCarthy has been ousted!
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) October 3, 2023
Thank you to Matt Gaetz for holding them accountable and putting America first. pic.twitter.com/nHtiHvY48r