According to Redstate, Rep. Matt Gaetz’s successful effort to oust Kevin McCarthy from the Speaker of the House position has raised questions about whether he had the blessing of former President Donald Trump. Gaetz confirmed that he had spoken to Trump in the days leading up to the vote and expressed confidence that he was doing the right thing.
Kevin McCarthy became the first speaker in American history to be removed from the job in the vote, with eight members of his own party voting against him. Now, Republicans must navigate the fallout, including the election of a new speaker and addressing the division within their party.
‘I have spoken to President Trump over the last several days,’ Gaetz told reporters on the steps of the Capitol after the vote. ‘I would say that my conversations with the former president leave me with great confidence that I’m doing the right thing.’
McCarthy became the first speaker in American history to be outed from his job in Tuesday’s vote that saw eight members of his own party sink him. Now Republicans will have to deal with the fallout. That not only includes electing a new speaker but dealing with the bloodbath that remains of their party.
Gaetz, in his remarks after the vote, criticized McCarthy as a “feature of the swamp” and called for the election of a better Speaker of the House. He invoked Trump’s talking points and highlighted McCarthy’s ties to special interest money.
It remains to be seen whether Trump will publicly back Gaetz’s version of events or weigh in on who the next speaker should be. Trump’s influence within the Republican Party is significant, given his strong position in the race for the GOP presidential nomination.
Democrats met Tuesday morning and were clear they neither supported nor trusted McCarthy.
They cited McCarthy’s actions on January 6th, his trip to Mar-a-Lago to make amends with Donald Trump, his attempt to discredit the January 6th committee, and his reneging on debt limit deal and a budget deal as their reasons.
‘We’re not voting in any way that would help save Speaker McCarthy,’ Rep. Pramila Jayapal said ahead of the vote. ‘Nobody trusts Kevin McCarthy, and why should they?’
Democrats had also expressed mistrust of McCarthy, citing his actions on January 6th, his efforts to make amends with Trump, his attempts to discredit the January 6th committee, and his reneging on debt limit and budget deals. The Republican Party faces turbulent times ahead as it navigates leadership changes in the House.
