'Writing was on the wall': Social Media explodes over McCarthy’s bombshell resignation

06 December 2023

Late Wednesday morning, December 6, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) that included a bombshell announcement: the former House speaker is resigning from Congress and is leaving at the end of December.

McCarthy wrote, "No matter the odds, or personal cost, we did the right thing. That may seem out of fashion in Washington these days, but delivering results for the American people is still celebrated across the country. It is in this spirit that I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways. I know my work is only getting started."

On MSNBC, former Rep. Fred Upton (R-Michigan) told host Andrea Mitchell that he isn't surprised by McCarthy's announcement, adding that "three Republicans are going to be gone" from the House in the near future.

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Upton told Mitchell, "Speaker Johnson has a very tenuous grip…. (McCarthy) wasn't going to be happy as a back-bencher. The writing was on the wall."

Users of X, formerly Twitter, have been quick to respond to McCarthy's announcement.

Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) tweeted, "Well.. Now in 2024, we will have a 1 seat majority in the House of Representatives. Congratulations Freedom Caucus for one and 105 Rep who expel our own for the other. I can assure you Republican voters didn't give us the majority to crash the ship. Hopefully no one dies."

Politico's Olivia Beavers observed, "McCarthy's pending departure adds to the already rough math problem facing House Rs/Speaker Johnson."

McCarthy, after being ousted as House speaker, insisted that he had no desire to leave Congress. And Beavers' Politico colleague Burgess Everett pointed to McCarthy's December 6 announcement as "Exhibit A for why you often can't believe what people are saying about their political future."

NBC News' Gary Grumbach tweeted video of McCarthy talking to reporters on October 6 and telling reporters he would be seeking reelection in 2024.

CBS News' Scott MacFarlane posted, "House GOP majority is about to shrink further. As former Speaker Kevin McCarthy announces he’s leaving Congress at end of year…. No more George Santos. McCarthy departing next. The margin for error is nearly non-existent for House Republicans."

Liberal activist Lisa Ericsson Murphy tweeted, "Kevin McCarthy is resigning. Remember when he said it would be hard not to hit Nancy Pelosi with the gavel? Took him 15 rounds to get elected speaker, was ousted after 8 months and is bowing out at the end of the year. Nancy was Speaker 2X for eight years. This never helped, Kev."

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