Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry has ordered Nancy Pelosi to vacate her Capitol hideaway office by Wednesday. The decision has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with Pelosi reacting strongly to the eviction notice. This unprecedented move marks a significant departure from tradition and sets the stage for a showdown between McHenry and Pelosi.

Pelosi’s hideaway office has long been a source of controversy. Situated in the depths of the Capitol building, this secluded space has allowed Pelosi to conduct her affairs away from prying eyes. However, McHenry’s order to vacate the office has exposed this secretive arrangement and has sparked a fierce debate over the use of such spaces by members of Congress.

McHenry’s decision to evict Pelosi from her hideaway office has been labeled as ruthless by many. Pelosi herself has criticized the move, calling it a sharp departure from tradition. However, McHenry has defended his actions, stating that the office will be reassigned for speaker office use. This power move by McHenry demonstrates his determination to assert his authority as Acting Speaker.

“Please vacate the space tomorrow, the room will be re-keyed,” wrote a top aide on the Republican-controlled House Administration Committee.

What makes McHenry’s eviction notice even more intriguing is the fact that Pelosi is not even in Washington D.C. at the moment. She is currently in California attending the funeral of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. Pelosi has cited her absence as the reason why she is unable to retrieve her belongings from the office. This has fueled speculation about the timing and intention behind McHenry’s move.

Politico reported on the eviction order, stating:

“As one of his first acts as the acting speaker, Rep. Patrick McHenry ordered former Speaker Nancy Pelosi to vacate her Capitol hideaway office by Wednesday, according to an email sent to her office viewed by POLITICO.”

The article also highlights the limited number of hideaway offices available to House lawmakers compared to their prevalence in the Senate. This further emphasizes the significance of Pelosi’s eviction from her coveted hideaway space.

In a separate development, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been removed from his position. A motion to vacate the chair against McCarthy was brought forward by Congressman Matt Gaetz and ultimately passed. McCarthy’s removal marks a historic event, as he becomes the first Speaker of the House to be forced out of the job in U.S. history.

During the vote, eleven House Republicans voted against tabling Gaetz’s motion, indicating their support for McCarthy’s removal. The Republicans who voted against tabling the motion were Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Tim Burchett, Eli Crane, Warren Davidson, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Cory Mills, Nancy Mace, Matt Rosendale, and Victoria Spartz.

Leading up to his removal, McCarthy expressed concerns over the possibility of losing his position. He stated, “If five Republicans go with Democrats, then I’m out.” This sentiment underscores the internal divisions within the GOP and the growing dissatisfaction with McCarthy’s leadership.

The vote to remove McCarthy as Speaker of the House marks a significant moment in U.S. political history. The action came just nine months after McCarthy assumed the role and demonstrates the volatility and shifting dynamics within the Republican Party. North Carolina Representative Patrick McHenry has been named Speaker pro tempore until a new Speaker is elected.

With McCarthy’s removal, the House of Representatives faces an uncertain future. The unprecedented nature of this event raises questions about how the House will function moving forward. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how the remaining members of the GOP will rally and whether a new Speaker will emerge to unite the party.