Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) officially resigned from Congress Monday, weeks after he announced his intention to leave in order to head up former President Donald Trump’s new social media company.
During a pro forma House session, Nunes’s resignation letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was read aloud from the chamber floor by a clerk.
“I write to inform you that I have notified California Governor Gavin Newsom of my resignation from the US House of Representatives, effective today at 11:59 p.m.,” Nunes’ letter read.
“It has been the honor of my life to represent the people of California’s San Joaquin Valley for the last 19 years,” it continued. “Please let me know how I can be of help during this transition.”
Nunes’ departure leaves the House with 433 members, 221 Democrats and 212 Republicans.
Early last month, Trump Media & Technology Group announced that Nunes would take up the role of CEO.
“The time has come to reopen the Internet and allow for the free flow of ideas and expression without censorship,” Nunes said at the time. “The United States of America made the dream of the Internet a reality and it will be an American company that restores the dream. I’m humbled and honored President Trump has asked me to lead the mission and the world class team that will deliver on this promise.”
The former president called Nunes “a fighter and a leader” who “will make an excellent CEO of TMTG.”
“Devin understands that we must stop the liberal media and Big Tech from destroying the freedoms that make America great,” Trump continued. “America is ready for TRUTH Social and the end to censorship and political discrimination.”
Nunes was first elected to Congress in 2002 and narrowly won reelection in both 2018 and 2020. He was expected to face another competitive race in 2022.
Since 2015, Nunes had been the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee and acted as one of Trump’s most vocal defenders in Congress during the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into allegations of collusion between Russia and the Trump 2016 presidential campaign.
Last week, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) selected Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) to take Nunes’ place on the committee chaired by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
“Throughout his long tenure on the Intelligence Committee, Mike established himself as a national security leader and ardent supporter of truth,” McCarthy said.
“Mike’s leadership of the committee will continue the great work of Congressman Nunes who has led the committee with integrity,” McCarthy said. “Every American committed to the security and safety of this country should be well-assured of Congressman Turner’s leadership of the House Intelligence Committee.”
Nunes also approved of his replacement, calling Turner “an extremely valuable fighter for House Intelligence Committee Republicans.”
“He was instrumental in the work we did to expose the Russia collusion hoax, and he was a major asset in demolishing the Democrats’ ridiculous accusations during the first impeachment of President Trump,” he said in a statement. “I have every confidence Mike will be a fearless and skillful leader for Intelligence Committee Republicans and will perform rigorous oversight over the Intelligence Community.”
