Unexpectedly, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer have received orders to leave their secret offices in the Capitol. Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry’s edict has drawn condemnation from Pelosi, who described it as a “sharp departure from tradition.”

After McHenry became the House speaker pro tempore after the historic vote that removed Kevin McCarthy, the action was taken quickly. Pelosi was informed of the impending eviction by email, which said the area will be repurposed for “speaker use.”

Pelosi, who is now in California lamenting the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein, conveyed her shock at the eviction, highlighting the fact that it was an unusual action. “This eviction is a sharp departure from tradition,” she said. I granted previous Speaker Dennis Hastert access to a far larger suite of offices as Speaker, to be used for as long as he so desired.”

Complicating matters further, Hoyer was also asked to leave his secret office that same day, which raised questions about the decision’s validity.

According to a spokesman for the former speaker, Pelosi, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ team had helped her from her hideout. Pelosi can’t get her stuff out of the office because of the eviction order.

The development adds even more intrigue to the already turbulent political scene because McCarthy’s ouster as speaker was a first in the 234-year history of the House. Rep. Matt Gaetz led the motion to vacate, and McCarthy was removed with a slim majority of 216–210 votes.

Uncertainty around McCarthy’s replacement has arisen since his removal, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise emerging as the early favorite. Gaetz was attacked by McCarthy, who announced he would not seek the speakership again, who described the action as “personal.”

The removal of Pelosi and Hoyer from their offices becomes a symbolic representation of the changing dynamics within the House of Representatives as the Capitol experiences historic shifts in leadership. With political tensions at an all-time high, attention is now focused on McCarthy’s removal and the next leader of the House during these uncertain times.