THE Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States is seeking to remove the serving Chaplain, who recently prayed on the fourth anniversary of the 6 January attack on the Capitol for God’s help to deal with “the enemies within”.

The office of the Speaker, Mike Johnson, has confirmed that he is seeking to replace the Revd Margaret Kibben, and has changed her designation from “Chaplain” to “Acting Chaplain”. His office has not said why he wants to replace the Chaplain, and the Chaplain’s office declined to comment when asked for a response by the Church Times.

Ms Kibben was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, and was elected by the formerly Democrat-majority House in 2021. She was the first woman to hold the post. Chaplains serve two-year terms, but can be appointed for successive terms.

The Chaplain opens business each day with prayers, and offers spiritual guidance and support to members of the House.

Ms Kibben was only a few days in post when rioters stormed the Capitol (News, 8 January 2021). A retired Rear Admiral, who previously served as the chief of chaplains in the US Navy, she stayed in place and prayed as members of the House put on emergency gas masks, and asked God to place a “hedge of protection” around them.

On this year’s fourth anniversary, joined by the Democrats Hakeem Jeffries and the Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, she called on God to remind believers to “serve you carefully and faithfully, to deal with all that come across the threshold — enemies within, enemies from without our own country”.

A timetable for the election of her replacement has not been published.