Jake Tapper Gives Kevin McCarthy Sarcastic Sendoff: ‘The Winston Churchill of Our Time’

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) bid Congress adieu in a floor speech on Thursday ahead of his resignation from the House, effective at the end of the year.

CNN’s Jake Tapper played a snippet of his final remarks on the House floor.

“Do not be fearful if you believe your philosophy brings people more freedom,” McCarthy said. “Do not be fearful that you could lose your job over it… Do it anyways. I would do it all again.”

Tapper offered a dry and sarcastic response.

“Ah, yes,” he reacted. “Do not be fearful. Words of courage from Kevin McCarthy – the Winston Churchill of our time.”

McCarthy proved to be an effective operator in Congress until his ouster from the speakership in October. Famously, he rebuked then-President Donald Trump one week after the Capitol riot, which he incited by lying to his supporters that the 2020 election had been stolen from him.

“The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters,” McCarthy said in a floor speech on Jan. 13, 2021. “He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding. These facts require immediate action by President Trump.”

Two weeks later, McCarthy visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate after reports emerged that Trump was angry at McCarthy, who managed to get back into Trump’s good graces. Two years later, McCarthy became speaker after Republicans retook the House in 2022 midterms.

According to former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), McCarthy told her he went to Mar-a-Lago because he had been informed Trump was so upset about the election.

Watch above via CNN.