North Carolina Republican Representative Patrick McHenry, who is serving as interim House Speaker following the ousting of former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, made a smashing debut in a way nobody saw coming.
In a clip that went viral, McHenry slammed down the gavel with tremendous force when he declared the House in recess.
Did he break anything? No. Was it excessive? The internet sure thought so.
The top ally of McCarthy became the Speaker pro tempore after eight Republicans led by GOP Representative Matt Gaetz joined Democrats in showing McCarthy the door in a historic vote on Tuesday.
McHenry's ragey pounding of the lectern left social media users quivering.
The gavel didn\u2019t do anything. Jeez.— Ron Filipkowski (@Ron Filipkowski) 1696367979
@RonFilipkowski Jeez \ud83d\ude05\ud83d\ude02— rach\ud83d\udc99 (@rach\ud83d\udc99) 1696370659
@RonFilipkowski Like I said: This\u2019ll be fun, watching @PatrickMcHenry. It\u2019s like going to Benihana: The shrimp end up on fire and that IS the show.— Agatha (@Agatha) 1696394564
@RonFilipkowski Ooh he mad— WTFGOP (@WTFGOP) 1696374643
@RonFilipkowski That's not even passive aggressive. That's ex-wife alimony aggressive.— Max D\u00e9Boosted (@Max D\u00e9Boosted) 1696368273
The moment was prime for roasting.
Make sure the clip below is unmuted for maximum enjoyment.
@RonFilipkowski Fixed it.— The Lincoln Project (@The Lincoln Project) 1696368114
@RonFilipkowski He's been waiting for this for his whole, entire life! . . . and he's going to make the most of it!— Funny Video Express (@Funny Video Express) 1696385297
@RonFilipkowski Sure hoped he killed that spider that crawled on the gavel mound.— RebelwoApplause (@RebelwoApplause) 1696423235
@RonFilipkowski He's getting practice for crab season.— Katty Hooves' Foal Free Views (@Katty Hooves' Foal Free Views) 1696383246
@RonFilipkowski Did he see a mole?— The Raccfather \ud83e\udd9d\ud83e\udd9d\ud83e\udd9d (@The Raccfather \ud83e\udd9d\ud83e\udd9d\ud83e\udd9d) 1696374737
@RonFilipkowski Dogs everywhere heard it.— Eddie Arruza (@Eddie Arruza) 1696374389
@RonFilipkowski Top score.— uk_rich (@uk_rich) 1696374136
@RonFilipkowski Bowtie = bad at hammering. This is a law of nature.— Wolfgang Hirth (@Wolfgang Hirth) 1696369321
@RonFilipkowski If you can think of a better way to stay in shape for watermelon season, we're all ears.— Gmork (@Gmork) 1696368063
The speakership is currently vacant after McCarthy became the only Speaker in U.S. history to be removed on a motion to vacate.
As Speaker pro tempore, McHenry will manage the House's day-to-day activities, which include recessing the House, adjourning the chamber, and recognizing speakers who request to speak during floor sessions.
McHenry will be presiding over the vote and selection for the chamber's next Speaker.
McCarthy announced he will not run for Speaker again, which led others including Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan to put their hats in the ring. Even Donald Trump has been floated as potential Speaker, which he has not ruled out.
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David Cohen