According to a Republican familiar with the plans, former President Donald Trump is considering meeting with House Republicans as they get ready to elect a new speaker after Kevin McCarthy was ousted.
Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican nomination in 2024, is considering making a trip to the Capitol on Tuesday as House Republicans meet to discuss choosing a new speaker, according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the situation.
Trump’s overt attempt to sway the outcome might swing the balance in the contest for speaker, the second-in-line position to the presidency, and have significant repercussions for both the presidential election and the legislative business of the chamber.
Following a revolt by a tiny but mighty group of conservative hardliners associated with Trump who were incensed that McCarthy had pushed through a bipartisan short-term spending agreement to avert a government shutdown, McCarthy was forced to give up the speaker’s gavel. The unprecedented impeachment has caused pandemonium in the GOP caucus, exposed severe splits within the party’s factions, and put an end to activity in the chamber.
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Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio are the only contenders who have declared their interest in becoming the next speaker. If Trump supports a candidate and they win, it will demonstrate how much weight the former president still has on Capitol Hill and among Republicans in general.
On October 11, the day that speaker elections have been set by acting House Speaker Patrick McHenry, he is planning a rally in West Palm Beach, Florida. Speakers for the event include Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, who initiated the motion to remove McCarthy.
A message seeking reaction from a Trump official was not answered.
Some Republicans have suggested Trump as a possible outside candidate.
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On Thursday, Republican congressman and Trump supporter Byron Donalds said on Bloomberg Television’s “Balance of Power” that “It’s possible, but the president’s going to make his decision.” He continued by saying that earlier in the day, he had spoken with the former president.
According to the GOP’s own rules, which prohibit someone under indictment for severe offenses from holding a House leadership role, Trump is currently ineligible to be speaker.
In relation to his alleged handling of confidential data, his attempts to rig the results of the US election in 2020, and other issues, he is charged with four felonies on 91 separate counts.
Trump stated on Wednesday, “A lot of people have questioned me about it. But the Republican Party has some excellent members who would be excellent speakers.
