Twitter has the saltiest responses to Paul Ryan’s retirement news
It’s only April, but House Speaker Paul Ryan has had an eventful year. In early February, the Republican politician caught heat for an out-of-touch tweet about tax cuts. Less than two weeks later, in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Ryan again stirred controversy by arguing that the shooting shouldn’t affect the ability to purchase a gun. And today, April 11th, the congressman announced that he will not seek re-election this year, effectively entering into early retirement.
The 48-year-old congressman announced that he will continue to serve until January 2019. His congressional career has spanned 20 years total. In a press conference, Ryan acknowledged that he had taken on the position of Speaker “reluctantly”; he was given the role when former House Speaker John Boehner resigned in 2015. Nevertheless, Ryan said that he was satisfied with his time in Congress and that he was leaving to spend more time with his family.
"I have accomplished much of what I came here to do, and my kids aren't getting any younger," Ryan said during the press conference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl3abGay990?feature=oembed
Ryan’s retirement will mean that there is one more formerly Republican seat in the House of Representatives up for grabs, which could make it easier for Democrats to take back the House. And on top of this, some were surprised by the announcement because Ryan’s campaign fund has raised $11 million in 2018 alone. However, there have been rumors of Ryan leaving since December.
But many Twitter users weren’t sorry to see Ryan go.
Legacy of Paul Ryan
Gave the rich the biggest tax cuts ✔️
Killed healthcare for children, the poor and the disabled ✔️
Dismantled social security ✔️
Created the greatest income inequality in the world ✔️
Deprived the poor ✔️
Increased our debt by 2 Trillion ✔️— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) April 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/984139909760860160
Some saw Ryan’s early retirement as an act of cowardice.
It’s a damned shame that PAUL Ryan would rather retire from Congress & give up being Speaker than stand up to trump & Putin.
— Kenny BooYah! 🖖🏾 (@KwikWarren) April 11, 2018
Paul Ryan will forever be remembered for his spineless complicity in Donald Trump's continued degradation of our democracy, and also this photoshoot pic.twitter.com/8K1nwtXynC
— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) April 11, 2018
Others noted that most people don’t get the same luxury.
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Hey @SpeakerRyan, congratulations on retiring at 48. Thanks to the GOP tax bill, the rest of us can retire at *checks notes* 100 years after we die? pic.twitter.com/7ztJcMshDx
— Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (@FullFrontalSamB) April 11, 2018
Awe, that’s sweet. Paul Ryan isn’t running so he can retire and spend more time with his family. Too bad all the families he screwed over with that tax scam won’t be able to afford that same luxury at 48.
— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy) April 11, 2018
But also @SpeakerRyan can retire at 48, while the rest of us might never retire because of his awful policies.
— Morgan Oliver (@dot_morg) April 11, 2018
But some — like Parkland student David Hogg — were looking on the bright side.
.@SpeakerRyan now you can put country over party and allow a vote on universal background checks 🙂 over 90% of Americans support it why not allow a vote on it? Tweet your support with #AllowTheVote
— David Hogg ☮️ (@davidhogg111) April 11, 2018
Regardless of your personal feelings about Ryan, the Speaker’s resignation is huge news. With so many elections in 2018, it’s more important than ever before to get out and vote. We’ll be watching to see who takes Ryan’s place come January.
