The American federal government underwent a profound shift today, as Paul Ryan was finally forced to relinquish his gavel so that Nancy Pelosi could ascend to the House Speakership, marking a transfer of power from one of the most spineless politicians in the history of American politics to one of the most accomplished and principled. Democrats now control the House, and America is safer and stronger because of it.
Ryan’s legacy will be one of enabling Donald Trump and standing by passively as our democratic institutions were pillaged and fundamentally undermined. Most ironically, the man who long presented himself as the voice of fiscal responsibility leaves behind a massively ballooned budget deficit due in large party to the plutocratic tax cuts he helped ram through. leaves in shame, as he so richly deserves.
As Ryan slithers off into the private sector, Americans have taken to Twitter to celebrate his departure. Some are thrilled to see Pelosi once again in a position of such power, others are simply happy that Ryan will no longer be able to forward his toxic agenda. Although the comments run the gamut, one thing is clear: Americans see Paul Ryan’s tenure in government as an abject failure, something to be looked at by historians as little more than an ill-intentioned curiosity. Good riddance.
Paul Ryan's nameplate is OFF the speaker's office doorway at the Capitol.
— Arthur Delaney (@ArthurDelaneyHP) January 3, 2019
the plaque for House Speaker Paul Ryan… removed: pic.twitter.com/32CkilFTPT
— J.D. Durkin (@jiveDurkey) January 3, 2019
oh thank god, finally pic.twitter.com/VA90Q9RcCp
— Talia (@2020fight) January 3, 2019
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Pelosi: "I am now ready to take the oath of office."
(pic via Reuters/Kevin Lamarque) pic.twitter.com/aBJKyjMgjv
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) January 3, 2019
There is no more fitting tribute to Paul Ryan’s final day as Speaker than one last racist tweet that Ryan would be unable to comment on because he hasn’t seen it https://t.co/QihtnBIxre
— Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) January 3, 2019
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Fuck Paul Ryan.
— Bryce Covert (@brycecovert) January 3, 2019
the gop majority and paul ryan's congressional career are dead and obamacare is alive
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) January 3, 2019
We took that gavel from Paul Ryan's hand.
— Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) January 3, 2019
As Paul Ryan exits stage right, I'd ask those in positions of media influence to reflect on the following question:
Why was Paul Ryan treated like an honest, likable policy wonk and Al Gore was treated like a wooden, serial-exaggerating nerd?
— Michael Linden (@MichaelSLinden) January 3, 2019
Paul Ryan standing in the doorway of his now-former office, hands on his hips, wistfully looking back on his time on the Hill, as everyone in the vicinity audibly rolls their eyes
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) January 3, 2019
he was born rich and doesn't need it but I'm glad we stop paying Paul Ryan's salary today. he was a laughably inept Speaker but still succeeded in making America crueler and worse. one of the shittiest people who ever disgraced our government. if you can't see that you're broken
— Owen Ellickson (@onlxn) January 3, 2019
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Today the best House Speaker of modern times reclaims the gavel from the worst. Paul Ryan leaves office with 12%, that's right, 12% favorability — and 75% unfavorable 1/ pic.twitter.com/FZuIlejGNM
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) January 3, 2019
Congrats to Paul Ryan on finally getting Paul Ryan off government welfare https://t.co/rkX4vFZPcy
— Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) January 3, 2019
As of this moment, Paul Ryan is unemployed.
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) January 3, 2019
Past five House Speakers:
Newt Gingrich – resigned
Dennis Hastert – resigned then imprisoned
John Boehner – resigned
Paul Ryan – resigned
Nancy Pelosi – reclaims Speaker role after 8 years— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) January 3, 2019
Take a minute to really let the scale of Paul Ryan’s fall from grace really sink in.
A candidate for Vice President a few short years ago. One of the two most powerful Republicans in Congress.
Gone from office with an approval rate barely a dozen points above zero. https://t.co/YFB8iHfb7o
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) January 3, 2019
