Republicans are in a state of panic after the abrupt removal of Kevin McCarthy, as GOP lawmakers took the unprecedented step of ousting their own speaker, leaving uncertainty about what comes next and some are literally crying about it. Even senators are weighing in, with one GOP Senator comparing hardline Republicans to terrorists.
Representative Patrick McHenry will temporarily serve as the interim speaker, handpicked by the ousted McCarthy. However, the party is grappling with a lack of clarity on the next steps, with key figures like Representative Matt Gaetz admitting to having no specific successor in mind for the House speaker role.
The chaos escalated as the vote to remove McCarthy succeeded, making it the first time in 113 years that House lawmakers have successfully ousted their own speaker—a historic moment in U.S. politics.
The tension within the Republican Party is palpable, with internal divisions surfacing with some members turning on each other.
In the midst of this turmoil, even senators are weighing in, with one Republican Senator drawing attention for seemingly comparing the far-right faction of the party to terrorists.
“A handful House members just want to blow up the institution and themselves in the process. Sad,” Sen. John Cornyn posted on X (Formerly known as Twitter)
A handful House members just want to blow up the institution and themselves in the process. Sad. https://t.co/3kRXkj2zxY
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) October 3, 2023
There is a group of House Rs huddled and praying on the House floor
Rep. Ann Wagner appears to be crying
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) October 3, 2023
After it was officially announced that McCarthy was removed as speaker, audible gasps rang out from across the chamber.
Followed by a voice on the Republican side of the chamber:
“Now what?”
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) October 3, 2023
McCarthy ally and House Rules Chair Tom Cole sums up state of things: “Nobody knows what’s going happen next including all the people that voted to vacate have no earthly idea, they have no plan. They have no alternative at this point. So it’s just simply a vote for chaos.”
— Annie Grayer (@AnnieGrayerCNN) October 3, 2023
NRSC Chair Daines takes a whack at GOP Rep. Matt Rosendale, who’s weighing a MT Senate bid, after he voted to oust McCarthy.
“I didn’t realize that Matt Rosendale and Nancy Pelosi are in the same prayer group,” he tells me
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) October 3, 2023
