McCarthy’s resignation was easy to predict after his 'radical ousting': journalist

Wall Street Journal readers encountered a major political bombshell late Wednesday morning, December 6 when it published an op-ed by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) — who announced that he is leaving Congress.

Not only is the conservative congressman not seeking reelection in 2024 — he is leaving at the end of the month.

McCarthy, after being ousted as speaker, insisted that he planned to remain in Congress and would be running in 2024. But The New Republic's Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, in an article published after McCarthy's announcement, argues that his departure isn't surprising after the "radical ousting" as speaker that he experienced.

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The vote to oust McCarthy came after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) triggered a "motion to vacate." And the ex-speaker, Houghtaling notes, "hasn't hid his resentment for the members who ousted him."

"His retirement follows a radical ousting in October, when he became the shortest-serving House speaker in U.S. history thanks to a fringe, far-right minority in the House who he empowered in order to secure the gavel in the first place," Houghtaling explains. "With McCarthy's forthcoming absence, Rep. Bill Johnson's impending retirement in March, and Rep. George Santos' recent expulsion, a historically divided caucus of House Republicans will be left with a slimmer than slim majority — potentially pulling weight with just one seat."

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Read Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling's full New Republic article at this link.