• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle

McCarthy Vows Not to Copy Pelosi’s ‘Childish Games’ During State of the Union – Brings Up Viral Moment

February 7, 2023
EXCLUSIVE: Small Biz Chief Pledges Zero Tolerance For Fraud After Biden Mission Drift

EXCLUSIVE: Small Biz Chief Pledges Zero Tolerance For Fraud After Biden Mission Drift

June 14, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: VA Will Save ‘Literally Millions Of Dollars’ By Scrapping Sex Changes, Sec Says

EXCLUSIVE: VA Will Save ‘Literally Millions Of Dollars’ By Scrapping Sex Changes, Sec Says

June 14, 2025
Authorities Identify Suspect In Assassination Of Minnesota Lawmaker

Authorities Identify Suspect In Assassination Of Minnesota Lawmaker

June 14, 2025
SEN. STEVE DAINES AND REP. STEVE WOMACK: Congress Should Be Able To Ban Flag Burning

SEN. STEVE DAINES AND REP. STEVE WOMACK: Congress Should Be Able To Ban Flag Burning

June 14, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Thune Says Trump Nominees Are Being Confirmed At Rapid Pace Despite ‘Historic’ Obstruction

EXCLUSIVE: Thune Says Trump Nominees Are Being Confirmed At Rapid Pace Despite ‘Historic’ Obstruction

June 14, 2025
Democratic State Lawmaker, Husband Killed In ‘Politically-Motivated Assassination’

Democratic State Lawmaker, Husband Killed In ‘Politically-Motivated Assassination’

June 14, 2025
CASEY RYAN: Accreditors Wield Power To End DEI In Schools

CASEY RYAN: Accreditors Wield Power To End DEI In Schools

June 14, 2025
How NYC’s Little-Understood Voting System Could Lead To A Socialist Mayor

How NYC’s Little-Understood Voting System Could Lead To A Socialist Mayor

June 14, 2025
DAVID BLACKMON: Trump Ends Newsom’s Terrible Week By Killing His EV Mandate

DAVID BLACKMON: Trump Ends Newsom’s Terrible Week By Killing His EV Mandate

June 14, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: VA Sec Says Days Of Unions, Contractors Owning His Agency Are Over

EXCLUSIVE: VA Sec Says Days Of Unions, Contractors Owning His Agency Are Over

June 13, 2025
LA News Outlet Caught In Lie That ICE Targeted Pregnant Woman. It Really Went After Her Illegal Husband.

LA News Outlet Caught In Lie That ICE Targeted Pregnant Woman. It Really Went After Her Illegal Husband.

June 13, 2025
‘My Blood Is Boiling’: Dem Strategist Melts Down Over Alex Padilla Getting Booted From Noem Presser

‘My Blood Is Boiling’: Dem Strategist Melts Down Over Alex Padilla Getting Booted From Noem Presser

June 13, 2025
  • Donald Trump
  • State of the Union
  • Elon Musk
  • Tariffs
  • Congress
  • Faith
  • Immigration
Sunday, June 15, 2025
  • Login
IJR
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls
No Result
View All Result
IJR
No Result
View All Result
Home Commentary

McCarthy Vows Not to Copy Pelosi’s ‘Childish Games’ During State of the Union – Brings Up Viral Moment

by Bradley Cortright
February 7, 2023
in Commentary
247 5
0

(Win McNamee/Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

If you are hoping to see some dramatic moment in which House Republicans stick it to President Joe Biden during his State of the Union address, you might be disappointed.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) says he will not be following in the footsteps of his predecessor and playing “childish games” while he sits behind the president.

In a tweet on Tuesday, the California Republican wrote, “A lot of people have been asking if I’m planning on ripping up President Biden’s speech tonight. Here’s my answer.”

He shared a short video where he said, “I don’t believe in the theatrics of tearing up speeches.”

“I respect the other side. I can disagree on policy, but I want to make sure this country is stronger, economically sound, energy independent, secure and accountable,” he added.

A lot of people have been asking if I'm planning on ripping up President Biden’s speech tonight. Here’s my answer: pic.twitter.com/WRlAlYgCbs

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) February 7, 2023

McCarthy also told CNN’s Manu Raju, “We’re members of Congress. We have a code of ethics of how we should portray ourselves but also do our jobs and that’s exactly what we’ll do. But we’re not going to be playing childish games, tearing up a speech. That’s just a political ploy.”

On SOTU, McCarthy told me of Rs: "We’re members of Congress. We have a code of ethics of how we should portray ourselves but also do our jobs and that’s exactly what we’ll do. But we’re not going to be playing childish games, tearing up a speech. That’s just a political ploy"

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 7, 2023

His comments refer to a dramatic moment from former President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech in 2020.

As Trump wrapped up his comments, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) dramatically ripped up her copy of the speech.

In case you missed it:

You can make the argument presidents and the media have distorted the purpose of the State of the Union over the years to make it a gross display of political pageantry resembling something you see in a monarchical government.

Politico’s senior media writer Jack Shafer argued that the speech should be skipped as he pointed out that the U.S. Constitution only states presidents shall “from time to time give to the Congress Information of the state of the Union.”

It does not stipulate they must deliver their remarks in person while they are repeatedly interrupted by applause and broadcast to the nation. Shafer also noted, “Every president from Thomas Jefferson to William Howard Taft produced remarks for Congress and then mailed them in.”

So it could probably be scaled back without many people really, truly caring. Who wants to sit for a long time and go through the ritual expectations of standing to applause every five minutes, or sit stoically to express your disapproval?

But regardless of where you stand on the State of the Union, it is sad we are in a position where our elected officials are being asked if they will behave disrespectfully behind the president.

Presidents are not gods and kings. But you would still expect full-grown adults in Congress would be able to show some decorum even as our political dialogue becomes more and more inflamed.

Tags: CongressDonald TrumpJoe BidenKevin McCarthyNancy Pelosi
Share196Tweet123
Bradley Cortright

Bradley Cortright

IJR, Senior Writer He's written for Independent Journal Review since 2019.

Advertisements

Top Stories June 10th
Top Stories June 7th
Top Stories June 6th
Top Stories June 3rd
Top Stories May 30th
Top Stories May 29th
Top Stories May 24th
Top Stories May 23rd
Top Stories May 21st
Top Stories May 17th

Join Over 6M Subscribers

We’re organizing an online community to elevate trusted voices on all sides so that you can be fully informed.





IJR

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Trusted Voices On All Sides

  • About Us
  • GDPR Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Standards & Corrections Policy
  • Subscribe to IJR

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Top Stories June 10th Top Stories June 7th Top Stories June 6th Top Stories June 3rd Top Stories May 30th Top Stories May 29th Top Stories May 24th Top Stories May 23rd Top Stories May 21st Top Stories May 17th