The great congressional exodus is underway, with almost 11% of lawmakers announcing they're either retiring or seeking higher office after the 2026 midterm elections. For patriots watching Trump's second-term success, this mass departure looks like exactly what we voted for—draining the swamp one retirement at a time.
The House saw its first major departure on January 5th, though the biggest shakeup came earlier when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announced in November she would retire at the beginning of the year. Greene's departure removes one of MAGA's fiercest voices, but it also signals confidence that Trump's movement has fundamentally transformed the Republican Party.
Among the notable exits is longtime Democrat establishment figure Steny Hoyer, the former House Majority Leader from Maryland who's finally calling it quits after decades in the swamp. Social media is already buzzing about his replacement, with Roll Call reporting that "Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn has launched a second bid for Congress, this time seeking to succeed retiring former House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer in Maryland."
Establishment Figures Head for the Hills
The retirement wave isn't just hitting Democrats. Veteran Republican Darrell Issa is also stepping down, with social media posts noting "Darrell Issa Retiring From Congress. The former House oversight committee chairman was first elected to Congress in 2000." Issa's departure marks the end of an era for the establishment wing of the GOP.
What's driving this historic exodus? Simple: the old guard knows their time is up. With Trump's overwhelming mandate and Republican control of government, career politicians who've grown comfortable in the swamp are realizing they no longer fit in a party—and a country—that demands America First results over political theater.
For everyday Americans, this represents exactly what we voted for. Fresh faces, new energy, and politicians who actually believe in the Constitution over corporate donors. The question isn't why so many are leaving—it's why it took this long for patriots to clean house.