McCarthy's retirement gives Democrats a path to taking speaker gavel: expert

House Republicans could wind up costing themselves the speakership by removing Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the position — leading to his announcement that he'll retire at the end of his year.

Eight hard-right lawmakers led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) voted with Democrats to oust McCarthy in October, setting off a three-week scramble that finally landed on Mike Johnson (R-LA). But the ex-speaker's retirement and the departures of two other GOP lawmakers could potentially put the gavel in the hands of House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries.

"With George Santos, Kevin McCarthy, and Bill Johnson leaving Congress, Republicans will now be down to a 1 seat majority," said MSNBC contributor Brian Tyler Cohen. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has also announced he won't seek reelection.

"Hakeem Jeffries could become speaker solely because of Republicans’ own dysfunction."

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Santos was expelled last week over fraud charges and other alleged crimes, while Johnson is leaving Congress to become president of Youngstown State, and that would put the Republican majority at just two until special elections are called and their replacements are seated.

"With the Santos seat vacancy, and now McCarthy, the House majority will be down to 2. Democrats need to be prepared to act swiftly and decisively if the numbers drop below 218 — even if only for a day," said Norm Ornstein, emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

"Quick motion to vacate, Jeffries as Speaker, immediate agenda. Reconciliation bill to secure robust spending, eliminate debt limit permanently, taxes on rich to pay for permanent child tax credit."