McCarthy’s fall has paralyzed the institution and opened a window into the Republican Party, exposing a crisis deeper than Donald Trump’s populism.
Kevin McCarthy will go down in history for setting several dubious records during his time in the House of Representatives. First, for the 15 votes he forced the House to take to get elected speaker during a chaotic week last January. Second, for being the first speaker to be removed by his colleagues barely nine months after being elected.
One thing is a consequence of the other. To win election, McCarthy agreed to modify the rules so that any member of the House could advance a motion to vacate the position of House speaker. That, combined with a slim majority – 221 Republicans to 212 Democrats – made it easy for the young radical Matt Gaetz and seven other representatives to join the Democrats and unseat McCarthy. McCarthy’s fall has paralyzed the institution and opened a window into the Republican Party, exposing a crisis deeper than Donald Trump’s populism.
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