Former President Donald Trump says he is backing Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as the next Speaker of the House to replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
Trump shared his support during a Friday interview with Breitbart News.
Trump Says He’ll Back McCarthy For Speaker: ‘I Think He Deserves A Shot’ https://t.co/bfiDzEnJW4
— Dolly_World (@dolly_note) December 18, 2022
“I think it’s a very dangerous game that’s being played,” Trump said. “It’s a very dangerous game. Some bad things could happen."
"Look, we had Boehner and he was a strange person but we ended up with Paul Ryan who was ten times worse. Paul Ryan was an incompetent speaker. I think he goes down as the worst speaker in history. We took [out] Boehner—and a group of people, some of whom are the same, and they’re very good friends of mine. All those people are very good friends of mine," he added.
— MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) December 16, 2022
"Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), and Bob Good (R-Va.) have formed a coalition against McCarthy’s speakership and plan to vote as a unit when McCarthy’s nomination comes to vote next month in the new Congress," the New York Post reported.
"Republicans will take control of the lower chamber of Congress on Jan. 3 and House McCarthy needs to secure 218 votes to be elected speaker," it added.
'He deserves the shot': Trump backs McCarthy for House speaker https://t.co/30E1VPbWuV pic.twitter.com/3g3wGQM62C
— New York Post (@nypost) December 17, 2022
Biggs has also said he plans to challenge McCarthy to become House speaker.
"My disagreements with McCarthy are rooted in my desire for a stronger, better Republican Party, one that prioritizes the needs of our voters, resists the pull of establishment influences, and is unified in its ideological and political goals," he said.
The first days of the House returning in January will certainly include much drama if Biggs continues with his plan to block McCarthy from leadership.
Some fear that the risk could keep the GOP from selecting the leader, instead resulting in a Democrat as House speaker even with Republicans holding a majority.
The fear is unlikely to occur, but the challenge does threaten to start the new year with gridlock and controversy rather than a united Republican front in the new Congress, slowing plans for its new majority to move forward with new legislation.