US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy forced out of office for first time in history following rebellion
3 October 2023, 22:01 | Updated: 3 October 2023, 23:10
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been ousted after Democrats joined with Republican critics to topple him.
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The 216-210 vote, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives, throws the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.
It is the first time in the country's history that House representatives have voted the speaker out.
Mr McCarthy's chief rival, Matt Gaetz, brought forward the "motion to vacate", drawing together more than a handful of conservative Republican critics of the speaker and many Democrats who said he was unworthy of leadership.
The next steps are uncertain, but there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority.
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An earlier vote was 218-208 against tabling the motion, with 11 Republicans allowing it to advance.
The House then opened a floor debate, which is unseen in modern times, ahead of the next round of voting.
Mr McCarthy, of California, insisted he would not cut a deal with Democrats to remain in power - not that he could have relied on their help even if he had asked.
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a letter to colleagues that he wanted to work with Republicans but was unwilling to provide the votes needed to save Mr McCarthy.
"It is now the responsibility of the GOP members to end the House Republican Civil War," he said, announcing the Democratic leadership would vote for the motion to oust the speaker.
As the House fell silent, Mr Gaetz, an ally of Donald Trump, rose to offer his motion. He is a leader of the hard-right Republicans who fought in January against Mr McCarthy in his prolonged battle to gain the gavel.
Mr McCarthy's fate was uncertain as the debate unfolded, with many of the complaints against him revolving around his truthfulness and his ability to keep the promises he had made since January to win the gavel.
But a long line of supporters stood up for him, including Jim Jordan, a founding leader of the conservative Freedom Caucus, who said: "I think he has kept his word."
Mr McCarthy received three standing ovations during the private meeting - one when he came to the microphone to speak, again during his remarks and finally when he was done, according to a Republican at the meeting who was granted anonymity to discuss it.
At one point, there was a show of hands in support of Mr McCarthy and it was "overwhelming", said Ralph Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus.
