OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former President Donald Trump’s name has surfaced as a favorite among some House Republicans to become the next Speaker after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) earlier this week, and he responded to those calls on Wednesday.
Fox News reported that Trump said he is focused on doing “what’s best” for the Republican Party after some GOP lawmakers suggested publicly that they would support him; you don’t have to be a sitting member of Congress to become Speaker, per the Constitution.
“Trump added that he has fielded numerous calls about assuming the vacant speakership, but suggested he was more focused on winning the presidential election,” the report said.
“He also said he would assist House Republicans with choosing a replacement for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted from the role in a dramatic vote Tuesday afternoon,” Fox News added.
Trump told reporters outside a New York City courtroom where he’s currently on trial in a civil fraud case filed by state Attorney General Letitia James: “A lot of people have been calling me about speaker. All I can say is we will do whatever is best for the country and the Republican Party. We have some great, great people. A lot of people have asked me about it.”
“If I can help them during the process, I would do it. But we have some great people in the Republican Party who would do a great job as speaker,” Trump added. “My sole focus is being president and, quite honestly, with actually making America great again. Because we are living in a country in decline. This is a country that is failing badly. We’re not respected in the world, interest rates are through the roof, taxes are through the roof, inflation is horrible.”
Fox News added:
The former president’s remarks came one day after McCarthy was voted out of his position. The motion to vacate the speaker was filed late Monday by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and joined by seven fellow Republicans and every House Democrat.
Following the stunning 216-210 vote, McCarthy said he wouldn’t run for speaker again. He served for just 269 days.
With the speaker position vacant, GOP lawmakers including Reps. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Greg Steube, R-Fla., said they would support Trump to take on the role. The speaker of the House is not required to be a serving member of Congress.
“President Trump, the greatest president of my lifetime, has a proven record of putting America first and will make the House great again,” Nehls said in a post to the X platform.
MTG said she will only support Trump to be the new speaker.
“The only candidate for Speaker I am currently supporting is President Donald J. Trump,” Greene wrote on X. “He has a proven 4 year record as President of the United States of America.”
She added:
He will end the war in Ukraine. He will secure the border. He will end the politically weaponized government. He will make America energy independent again. He will pass my bill to stop transgender surgeries on kids and keep men out of women’s sports. He will support our military and police. And so much more! He has a proven 4 year record as President of the United States of America. He received a record number of Republican votes of any Republican Presidential candidate! We can make him Speaker and then elect him President! He will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!
The vote to oust McCarthy was 216-210, with eight Republicans siding with all present Democrats to remove him after a motion to vacate was filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).
