Politically, it is seen as normal game when politicians gang up against each other, criticize each other in an effort, in most cases, to advance their political agenda. But when one of the heads of the National Legislature, or the House of Representatives, takes what many considered to be reprehensible approach or line about the other, it becomes an issue of personality clash. When Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah pulled the sword on his immediate boss, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, many said it is not unusual but also termed it an act of irrationality. However, in an apparent damage control move, Fallah has sought to soothe his boss with an apology and retraction of his comments. The New Republic’s Stephenie Duncan reports
By Stephanie M. Duncan
About three weeks ago, it was alleged that some members of the House of Representatives had hatched plans to unseat House Speaker Richard Fallah in favor of his Deputy, Representative Thomas Fallah. Though the information lingered the longest but such action of removal was not practically displayed in the theater of the House, making many believed it was just a mere rumor. However, others argued that the information could not be washed away so easily on the basis of the witticism “where there is smoke, fire is certainly simmering.”
So, when Deputy Speaker Fallah struck Speaker Koon the hardest, revealing that he has leadership fallibility and foibles, political observers conjectured that the rumors of planned Koon removal might just be the truth that would come out in many ways.
But not too long, Fallah has bowed out, apparently to pressure, publicly apologizing to his boss and also withdrawing the very comments he so audaciously made about Speaker Koon during an appearance on SpoonTalk on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Apology is also a normal legislative move intended to calm the storm, but not to take away reality. Though Fallah has apologized, but it is believed his statement is a representative of how he thinks and feels about the Speaker. For others, it is a damage control move.
Fallah’s apology follows a communication submitted to the House by Jacob Debee, Representative of Grand Gedeh County Electoral District #3, requesting that the Deputy Speaker retract his remarks and that the matter be investigated.
In a statement, Fallah said he became aware of the request through the House’s agenda during Tuesday’s legislative session.
“I wish to state clearly that my comments on SpoonTalk regarding my friend, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, were made in good faith and without any intent to mislead, malign, or undermine. I hereby retract them and offer my sincere apology,” the Deputy Speaker stated.
Fallah emphasized that his relationship with Speaker Koon extends beyond their current leadership roles in the Legislature, describing it as a longstanding friendship built on mutual respect.
“Speaker Koon and I share a longstanding personal relationship that predates our current roles in the Honorable House. I value that relationship deeply and have no intention of doing anything to jeopardize the mutual respect and camaraderie between us,” he added.
The apology comes amid heightened public attention surrounding recent political discussions involving the leadership of the House of Representatives. While Fallah did not specify which aspects of his earlier comments he was withdrawing, his retraction appears aimed at easing tensions and reaffirming his respect for the Speaker.
The House of Representatives has not yet announced whether it will proceed with any investigation requested in Representative Debee’s communication.
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