McCarthy Denies Reports That He'll Resign From Congress

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) arrives to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on Oct. 5, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Friday that he'll serve out the rest of his term and run for reelection in 2024, refuting reports that he was considering resigning early after he was ousted as speaker of the House this week.

Speaking to reporters in the Capitol, Mr. McCarthy denied reports that emerged in Politico and CNN that he was thinking about bowing out of Congress after he was ousted from his speakership earlier this week.

“I’m not resigning, I got a lot more work to do,” said Mr. McCarthy, who also responded, “Yes,” when asked if he plans to run for reelection next year.

Earlier on Friday, CNN reported, citing anonymous sources close to the former speaker, that he was thinking about stepping down early. Politico was first to similarly report on the matter, citing “two people familiar with the matter.”

Two House Republicans have launched bids for the speakership, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the latter of which was endorsed by former President Donald Trump; himself a possible short-term contender.

(L) Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media in New York on Oct. 4, 2023. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images) (R) Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) speaks during John Durham's testimony in Congress in Washington on June 21, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

President Trump said this week that he'd consider stepping into the speakership for a short term while Republicans find a replacement for Mr. McCarthy. However, President Trump said his primary focus is on his 2024 campaign to become the GOP nominee for president. He later threw his support behind Mr. Jordan.

“I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress,” President Trump told Fox News. “If they don’t get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the speakership until they get somebody longer term because I am running for president.”

Mr. Jordan, who is a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, is seen as the preferred candidate by numerous House Republicans who spoke off the record, The Epoch Times previously reported. He was the first to formally declare his bid to replace Mr. McCarthy.

President Trump praised the Ohio congressman in a Friday morning post on his Truth Social platform.

“Congressman Jim Jordan has been a STAR long before making his very successful journey to Washington, D.C., representing Ohio’s 4th Congressional District. Respected by all, he is now Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,” President Trump wrote. “As President, I had the honor of presenting Jim with our Country’s highest civilian award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom. So much is learned from sports, and Jim was a master!”

President Trump said Mr. Jordan is strong on crime, the border, the military and its veterans, and the Second Amendment.

“He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!” he added.

Mr. McCarthy was removed as speaker of the House just days ago following Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) bringing forward a controversial motion known as a “motion to vacate” on Oct. 3. The motion passed 216–210, with eight Republicans joining all 208 Democrats voting in favor.

Mr. Gaetz accused Mr. McCarthy of failing to uphold promises he had made to secure the speaker’s gavel when he assumed the role in January. Mr. Gaetz alleged that Mr. McCarthy did not fulfill the commitments he had made to secure the position of the speaker when he took office in January.

Mr. McCarthy has been a member of the House since 2007, during the tenure of former President George W. Bush in the White House. He has been temporarily replaced by Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) as the speaker pro tempore until the House votes for a permanent replacement next week.