From the New York Times, I'm Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily.

Today, why would the third most powerful Republican in Washington voluntarily leave his seat at the age of 48?

An exit interview with Paul Rhinon.

It's Wednesday, August 8.

Morning.

I wanted to share with you a little of what I just told my colleagues.

Mark, take us back to April when Paul Rhinon announced that he wouldn't be seeking re-election in the fall.

What did he say about that?

You all know that I did not seek this job. I took it reluctantly.

But I have given this job everything that I have.

And I have no regrets whatsoever for having accepted this responsibility.

But the truth is it's easy for it to take over everything in your life.

So essentially, his main reason for retiring at age 48 at the top of his profession.

Because there are other things in life that can be flitting as well.

Namely, your time is a husband and a dad.

Is that he wanted to spend more time with his family, which is perfectly legitimate.

But it seemed a little curious given the trajectory of Paul Rhinon's career, which just became extremely entangled with Donald Trump starting about a year and a half, two years ago, in ways that I don't think he can escape.

That's why today I am announcing that this year will be my last one as a member of the House.

Much work remains.

But I like to think I have done my part, my little part in history to set us on a better course. Thank you.

So I asked his communications team if he would be willing to let me have a few conversations with the speaker.

And to my surprise, they said, yes, sure.

...