Ryan drops the beard for 2016

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has dropped the facial hair, opting for a clean cut to start off the new year.

Ryan, who has been sporting a beard since around Thanksgiving break, just weeks after assuming the Speaker’s gavel, took to social media on Tuesday to show off his freshly shaved face:

Fresh year. Fresh start. Fresh shave. → https://t.co/soqeh5z5gc pic.twitter.com/NBjWi6jkGG

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) January 5, 2016

{mosads}Not everyone had been a fan of Ryan’s stubble, with comments on Twitter about his “Muslim beard.” Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham also suggested that “the bearded wonder” shave.

Ryan’s beard was around for weeks as he made appearances on Capitol Hill and in television interviews, developing a bit of a cult following as well as scrutiny as the Wisconsin lawmaker assumed the responsibilities of his new office.