McCarthy says won't rip up Biden's State of the Union speech like Pelosi did to Trump

Pelosi tore up a copy of Trump's 2020 State of the Union speech on camera when his address ended
Kevin McCarthy, Feb. 6, 2023, Washington, D.C.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he won't be ripping up President Biden's State of the Union address Tuesday night like Democrat Nancy Pelosi did when she led the chamber and then-President Trump gave his 2020 address.

Pelosi tore up a copy of Trump's address on camera when it ended.

"I don’t believe in the theatrics," McCarthy said in a video posted on Twitter. "I respect the other side. I can disagree on policy, but I want to make sure this country is stronger, economically sound, energy independent, secure and accountable."

McCarthy and Biden are also engaged in face-to-face negotiations on the federal debt ceiling – with McCarthy demanding spending cuts in exchange for the GOP-led House voting in favor of raising the ceiling.