00:00 2023 was, to say the least, an eventful year in U.S. politics.
00:04 From unhinged behavior on the House floor to history-making mugshots,
00:08 here's the Independence picks for 2023's top political moments caught on camera.
00:13 The year started off in pure chaos when Kevin McCarthy was elected House Speaker
00:18 after 15 rounds of voting.
00:20 The total number of votes cast is 428,
00:24 of which the Honorable Kevin McCarthy of the state of California
00:28 has received 216.
00:31 This was just the first of many shocking moments that happened in Congress.
00:37 During a hearing, one congressman asked the CEO of TikTok this.
00:40 Mr. Chu, does TikTok access the home Wi-Fi network?
00:44 I'm sorry, I may not understand.
00:46 Of course, we can't forget the hostility that took place as well,
00:49 like Marjorie Taylor Greene calling Lauren Boebert the B-word.
00:52 Can you comment on the report that she cursed at you on the floor?
00:55 Like I said, I'm not in the school.
00:57 Or pure chaos, like Jamal Bowman pulling the fire alarm during a House vote.
01:01 There was a lot that happened outside the Capitol building this year, too.
01:05 You know, like this.
01:07 Donald Trump became the first former president to surrender to law enforcement
01:12 and be placed under arrest.
01:13 That is, of course, after becoming the first former president in U.S. history
01:17 to be criminally indicted.
01:18 This case should be dismissed. This is not a case.
01:21 He faces a total of 91 charges across four criminal cases.
01:25 Despite everything, Trump is still the GOP frontrunner in the 2024 election.
01:29 While he never made an appearance at any of the 2023 debates,
01:32 there were plenty of memorable — and memeable — moments.
01:35 People on social media were quick to poke fun at candidate Ron DeSantis,
01:41 who appeared to be wearing shoe lifts during the debate.
01:43 Dick Cheney in three-inch heels.
01:46 Let's circle back to McCarthy, though.
01:47 Kevin McCarthy was removed as House Speaker,
01:49 with eight Republicans voting to remove him from the post.
01:52 The office of Speaker of the House is hereby declared vacant.
01:57 Let's just say he hasn't had the best year.
02:00 Did McCarthy screw with you?
02:02 Well, you know, he was a system for some time.
02:04 Maybe it's the Irish in him.
02:06 I got elbowed in the back, and it kind of caught me off guard
02:09 because it was a clean shot to the kidneys.
02:11 And I turned back, and there was Kevin.
02:13 McCarthy wasn't the only one getting feisty in D.C., though.
02:16 Bernie Sanders was forced to intervene when a fistfight
02:19 almost broke out during a committee hearing.
02:20 You want to do it now?
02:21 I'd love to do it right now.
02:22 Well, stand your butt up then.
02:23 You stand your butt up.
02:24 Oh, hold on. Oh, stop it.
02:26 Is that your solution, every politician?
02:28 No, no, sit down.
02:29 I'm a firecloud.
02:29 Sit down.
02:30 OK.
02:30 You know, you're a United States senator.
02:32 While a lot of these are laughable and, frankly, unbelievable,
02:35 2023 was also a year of historic moments for President Joe Biden.
02:39 From announcing his re-election to meeting with China's Xi Jinping
02:43 and joining the UAW picket line, Biden was constantly on the move.
02:47 We saved the best for last.
02:50 After this happened.
02:51 Under Clause 5D of Rule 20, the chair announces to the House that in light
02:55 of the expulsion of the gentleman from New York, Mr. Santos,
02:58 the whole number of the House is now 434.
03:01 We got something nobody expected.
03:04 You make him put up or shut up.
03:06 You stand your ground, sir.
03:08 And don't get bogged down by all the haters out there.
03:11 Stay strong.
03:12 Merry Christmas.
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