Kevin McCarthy was surprised by Tim Burchett's House speaker vote

It's been over a month since Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, joined seven members of his party in ousting Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from his role as speaker of the House.

And it's still unclear how Burchett's vote will affect his political future, but he and the others in the "Gaetz Eight" have received flak from members of their party for their decision to vote with Democrats on the ouster.

The most recent member to scold the "Gaetz Eight?" McCarthy himself. On Nov. 5, he told CNN that Burchett's vote to oust him was "out of nature" and that he was surprised Burchett joined the effort.

“They care a lot about press, not about policy, and so they seem to just want the press and the personality,” McCarthy said to CNN's Manu Raju.

In response, Burchett told CNN that McCarthy was "bitter," citing McCarthy's belittling of his faith.

"I just didn't see that as the type of person who needed to be in leadership," he said.

But Burchett didn't get the brunt of McCarthy's criticism. That went toward Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who initiated the ouster. McCarthy said there should be "consequences" for his action.

The comparatively light scolding Burchett received from members of his party is in line with what Nathan Kelly, a political science professor at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, told Knox News Oct. 25.

"Party leaders will be unlikely to want to punish someone who was not the ringleader of this revolt," Kelly said, adding that Burchett could face more internal, petty reactions such as not being invited to party events.

Burchett defended his decision by saying it's what East Tennesseans wanted, and he didn't feel that McCarthy was genuine in his pursuit of the role.

"Was I going to keep my friendship with Kevin McCarthy or am I going to trust my conscience and do what I know is right?" Burchett told Knox News the day of the ouster.

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Kevin McCarthy surprised by Tim Burchett House speaker vote