Only Donald Trump would be capable of completely upending the structure of American democracy — to its benefit — in an effort to oust arguably the most insidious State actor in U.S. history.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a top Trump ally, revealed he had spoken with the Former President about becoming House Speaker should Republicans win control of the chamber in next year’s midterms.
While attending Trump’s Save America rally on July 3 in Sarasota, Florida, Gaetz vowed to nominate Trump to be the next Speaker of the House.
“I have spoken with the President about a possibly nominating him as House Speaker,” Gaetz said. The congressman did not elaborate.
The speaker, second in line to the presidency, does not have to be a member of Congress, though every speaker in U.S. history has been.
Following Gaetz’s summer comment regarding Trump, Rep. Brendan Boyle introduced a bill that would limit eligibility for the House speaker role to current House lawmakers.
Although Trump associates have said the former president has no interest in being speaker, the idea has picked up momentum among conservative lawmakers such as Rep. Lauren Boebert and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the GOP’s biggest flamethrowers.
Taylor Greene said she “would love” for Trump to be speaker, and for House Republicans to impeach Joe Biden.
Several national surveys — including generic congressional polling — have suggested that Republicans are in prime position to reclaim control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections. The GOP needs to win just five seats to do so.
Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy is in line to become speaker in a Republican-controlled House.
Trump has said he has “a good relationship with Kevin and hopefully we will do everything traditionally.”
However, some conservative House members have been upset with McCarthy for allowing Taylor Greene and Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz to get stripped of committee assignments by Democrats without a fight.
Taylor Greene recently said McCarthy currently “doesn’t have the votes” to become speaker if Republicans take back control of the chamber.
Earlier this week, Gaetz also said that conservatives will push to “take power after this next election.”
.@RepMattGaetz: "We are going to take power after this next election. When we do, it's not going to be the days of Paul Ryan, and Trey Gowdy, and no real oversight, and no real subpoenas. It's going to be the days of Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Dr. Gosar, and myself." pic.twitter.com/8ID1vMN8IZ
— The Hill (@thehill) December 7, 2021
Author: Sebastian Hayworth
