Representative Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, has denied rumors of his resignation from the House of Representatives following his ousting as House speaker earlier this week. McCarthy’s denial came in response to a Politico report suggesting that he was considering leaving his congressional seat. Speaking with Fox’s Bret Baier, McCarthy firmly stated that he had no intention of leaving.
The ousting of McCarthy as House speaker came after a narrow 216-210 vote on Tuesday, in which Republican Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida introduced a motion to remove McCarthy from the role. Gaetz had threatened to take this action following a breakdown between Republican factions over efforts to prevent a government shutdown the previous week.
Following McCarthy’s removal, Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina, has stepped in as a temporary replacement until a permanent speaker is voted upon next week. Several names have emerged as potential successors to McCarthy, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Representative Kevin Hern of Oklahoma. Former President Donald Trump was also considered as a replacement and expressed his willingness to temporarily accept the role in order to bridge the divides within the party. Ultimately, he voiced his support for Jordan.
The situation surrounding McCarthy’s resignation is still developing, and updates will be provided as they become available.
Brandon Gillespie is an associate editor at [publication]. For the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content, follow him on Twitter at @brandon_cg.
