Kevin McCarthy was axed from his role as speaker of the US House of Representatives Tuesday in a ruthless overthrow by far-right Republican lawmakers furious over his cooperation with Democrats.

For the first time in its 234-year history, the House backed a resolution "to vacate the office of the speaker" with a 216-210 vote setting the stage for an unprecedented contest to replace McCarthy a year before the presidential election.

The announcement was made as follows: "On this vote, the yays are 216, the nays are 210. The resolution is adopted. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The office of Speaker of the House of the United States House of Representatives is hereby declared vacant."