Rep. Matt Gaetz Reveals McCarthy is Already Moved Into House Speaker Office

Despite failing to be elected as the new House Speaker three different votes, Rep. Kevin McCarthy has moved into former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s old office.

Gaetz made the announcement in a formal letter sent to the Architect of the Capitol asking why McCarthy is allowed to move into the Speaker’s office.

In the letter Gaetz would even call McCarthy a squatter:

I’d like to report a squatter https://t.co/mndQjxUjeF

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 4, 2023

The Speaker of the House Office in the Capitol is currently being occupied by Kevin McCarthy.

Kevin McCarthy is not the Speaker of the House. He lost 3 consecutive votes today.

I’m demanding answers from the Architect of the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/AIZ8bFks6W

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 4, 2023

Newsweek had these details to add:

Florida Representative Matt Gaetz is questioning the legality of former House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy moving into the House speaker’s office a day before failing to get elected to the position in three separate votes.

McCarthy, a Republican from California, on Tuesday fell short of the 218 votes required to be elected speaker on Tuesday. While his fellow Republicans hold the majority in the new congressional term, 20 GOP House members backed Jim Jordan of Ohio instead, leaving the chamber in a standstill as new congressional members are unable to be elected until a speaker is chosen.

Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, left, on Tuesday speaks to reporters after a meeting with House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol. Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, right, is shown on Tuesday in the House chamber between votes for House speaker at the Capitol. McCarthy failed to garner enough votes to be elected speaker due to dissenting Republicans like Gaetz.

Before votes were held, however, McCarthy and his staff followed tradition by moving into the empty speaker’s office on Monday, according to a report from Politico. Gaetz posted a letter on his Twitter account Tuesday night addressed to Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton, asking on what “basis in law” is McCarthy permitted to occupy the otherwise vacated space.

“What is the basis in law, House rule, or precedent to allow someone who has placed second in three successive speaker elections to occupy the Speaker of the House Office?” read the letter. “How long will he remain there before he is considered a squatter?”

Gaetz Demands McCarthy Stop ‘Occupying’ Speaker’s Office, Asks When He Will Be Considered a ‘Squatter’https://t.co/QJg1uRTecE

— Timcast News (@TimcastNews) January 4, 2023

Tim Cast got the scoop too:

Rep. Matt Gaetz sent a letter to the Capitol Architect on Tuesday demanding they look into Rep. Kevin McCarthy “occupying” the House Speaker’s office.
Gaetz is one of the most vocal members voting against McCarthy becoming House Speaker.

The Florida congressman asked how long McCarthy would be allowed to stay in the office after three failed votes before being considered a “squatter.”

The letter to Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton began, “I write to inform you that the Speaker of the House Office located in the U.S. Capitol Building is currently occupied by Rep. Kevin McCarthy. As of this morning, the 117th Congress adjourned sine die, and a Speaker from the 118th Congress has not been elected. After three undeciding votes, no member can lay claim to this office.”

“What is the basis in law, House rule, or precedent to allow someone who has placed second in three successive speaker elections to occupy the Speaker of the House Office?” Gaetz continued. “How long will he remain there before he is considered a squatter?”

Gaetz concluded, “Please write back promptly as it seems Mr. McCarthy can no longer be considered Speaker-Designate following today’s balloting.”