Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry has commanded former Speaker Nancy Pelosi to immediately vacate her Capitol hideaway office.
This audacious act, which marks McHenry’s first official action as Acting Speaker, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape and sparked an intense reaction from Pelosi.
McHenry, a close ally of McCarthy, was appointed as Acting Speaker following McCarthy’s unexpected ousting. Earlier this year, McCarthy had chosen McHenry as Speaker Pro Tempore, a position that now grants him all the powers of a House Speaker.
With this newfound authority, McHenry wasted no time in making his presence felt, swiftly ordering Pelosi to leave her office by Wednesday.
Dear Nancy Pelosi, pack your shit up. It’s time to go. pic.twitter.com/alYiLFpzXk
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) October 4, 2023
Pelosi, who is currently in California attending the late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s funeral, was taken aback by this sudden demand. She expressed her outrage at McHenry’s ruthless move, labeling it as “a sharp departure from tradition.”
Pelosi’s absence from Washington DC only added to the drama, as she lamented her inability to retrieve her belongings due to her current location.
The news of McHenry’s order was first reported by Politico, who viewed an email sent to Pelosi’s office. The email, penned by a top aide on the Republican-controlled House Administration Committee, stated, “Please vacate the space tomorrow, the room will be re-keyed.”
It further clarified that the room was being reassigned by the acting speaker “for speaker office use.”
This move by McHenry is significant as only a select few House lawmakers are granted hideaway offices in the Capitol, a privilege more commonly associated with the Senate. By ordering Pelosi to vacate her office, McHenry has made a clear statement about his intentions as Acting Speaker.
Nancy Pelosi calls the sudden ejection from her former office “a sharp departure from tradition.”
Know what else is a departure from tradition Nancy?
Making up evidence to impeach a president – twice.
Turning a simple trespassing event into a national insurrection.
Blaming…
— James Bradley (@JamesBradleyCA) October 4, 2023
As the dust settles on this dramatic turn of events, it remains to be seen how Pelosi will respond and what the implications of this power move will be.
One thing is certain, however – McHenry’s tenure as Acting Speaker has begun with a bang, and all eyes will be on him as he navigates the choppy waters of Washington politics.
This audacious act by McHenry marks a new chapter in the political landscape. It serves as a stark reminder of the ever-changing dynamics of power within the Capitol.
As we continue to monitor this developing story, one can’t help but wonder – what other surprises does Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry have up his sleeve? Only time will tell.
