Kevin McCarthy ousted. Reasons for his removal and potential successor in question.

A search is currently underway for a replacement Speaker of the House of Representatives after Republican Kevin McCarthy was unexpectedly ousted by conservative members of his own party. Despite the Republicans holding control of the lower chamber of Congress, McCarthy's fate was sealed when eight rebel members joined forces with the Democrats in a final vote. This marks the first time in US politics that a House Speaker has been removed in such a manner. The rebellion was led by Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who accused McCarthy of making a secret deal with President Biden regarding Ukraine aid. However, this conflict between McCarthy and the right-wing faction within his party has been ongoing for some time, with accusations of untrustworthiness against McCarthy for striking deals with Democrats that did not align with the deep budget cuts desired by the faction. Now, some Republicans are openly discussing the expulsion of Gaetz. The House is currently on recess for a week, during which members will discuss and decide on a new Speaker in a vote scheduled for Wednesday, October 11th. Given the tension within the party, it may be challenging to find a figure capable of uniting the various factions. In the meantime, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, who leads an interim list of leaders submitted by McCarthy, will temporarily assume some of the Speaker's responsibilities. Other names being mentioned as potential candidates include Louisiana Republican Steve Scalise and Minnesota Republican Tom Emmer. The vote outcome hinged on grievances against McCarthy, preventing Democrats from supporting him. This decision was influenced by feelings of betrayal among Democrats due to McCarthy's shifting stance on Donald Trump's involvement in the storming of the Capitol. As the Speaker holds significant power and is second in line for the presidency, the absence of a successor creates a void in the US government. Additionally, critical issues such as the annual budget, aid to Ukraine, and the impeachment inquiry of Joe Biden need to be addressed by the House in the coming weeks. The reputational consequences of this chaos may further erode public confidence in the government, reaffirming the belief that the US political system is dysfunctional.