Trump ‘open’ to becoming president as House Republicans spotlight his name — but their own rules prevent anyone charged with a crime from keeping the job
- “A lot of people have asked me about it,” Trump said at a press conference
- “I will do whatever it takes to help, but my focus is on the presidency,” he said
Former President Donald Trump is “open” to becoming speaker of the House of Representatives after a handful of right-wing Republicans put his name forward for the top job.
“A lot of people have asked me about it,” Trump said during a press conference Wednesday morning.
“We are ahead by about 50 points as president. My focus is entirely on that. If I can help them through the process, I would. But we have some great people in the Republican Party. They will do an excellent job as speakers,” he continued.
“I will do whatever it takes to help, but my focus is on the presidency,” Trump added.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy was impeached in a historic vote on a motion to evict filed by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Eight Republicans sided with all Democrats to oust their leader, making McCarthy the shortest-lived speaker in 140 years and the first ever to be ousted mid-term.
Former President Donald Trump is ‘open’ to becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives after a handful of right-wing Republicans put his name forward for the top position
Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a historic vote on a motion to evict filed by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz claimed he had Trump’s support in his efforts, but Trump posted on Truth Social in the middle of the drama: “Why are the Republicans always fighting among themselves, why don’t they fight the radical left Democrats who are destroying democracy?” our country?’
But under the Republican Party’s own bylaws, Trump would be barred from holding the top job.
“A member of the Republican Leadership will step aside if charged with a crime punishable by a prison sentence of two or more years,” the Republican Conferences said.
“The only candidate for chairman that I currently support is President Donald J. Trump,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wrote on X.
“@realDonaldTrump as speaker,” added Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla.
“Kevin McCarthy will NOT serve as chairman again. I nominate Donald J. Trump to be Speaker of the House of Representatives,” said Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas.
But Trump has been indicted four times in the past six months. He has been indicted on 91 federal and state charges and could face hundreds of years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Two of the cases are federal: one involves his handling of classified documents and one involves his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
There is no consensus yet on who will become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Since McCarthy’s outgoing Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan emerged as front-runners to take the top job, they have begun calling rank-and-file offices to gauge support.
Rep. Kevin Hern, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, and Whip Tom Emmer have also hinted at interest in the role and have made calls to several offices.