Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-FL) effort to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from leadership could lead to controversy over another GOP member.
Majority Whip Tom Emmer, currently dealing with cancer, would be next in line, with Trump supporter Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in third.
Republicans don't have to worry about Democrats taking them down in defeat.
Republicans are fully capable of destroying themselves! 🤔
Matt Gaetz is persona non grata! 🤬https://t.co/IWvmCmrHJh
— Daniel F. Baranowski (@DFBHarvard) October 2, 2023
"To be clear, there is no reason to believe at all that Emmer is any part of this game Gaetz is playing," Breitbart News reported.
"Emmer, sources familiar with the matter told Breitbart News, is just as frustrated with Gaetz’s antics as most Republicans are and is not part of any coup effort Gaetz is leading," it added.
Hey Tom -
When did you learn about the secret Ukraine side deal and what is in it?
Asking for a friend.
And sorry in advance for the ratio on this tweet of yours.
The People want us to #VacateMcCarthy https://t.co/jZgINUdUa5
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) October 2, 2023
Gaetz has also not been a friend of Emmer in the process, blasting him recently over an alleged secret side deal with Ukraine to pass legislation to stop a government shutdown.
"Hey Tom - When did you learn about the secret Ukraine side deal and what is in it? Asking for a friend," Gaetz tweeted.
🚨 NRCC Chairman Tom Emmer Statement on President Trump's Acquittal >>> pic.twitter.com/Rkb3klVLU1
— NRCC (@NRCC) February 5, 2020
Emmer has had a complicated past with Trump. He spoke out in favor of Trump not being impeached in 2020.
However, he has also spoken out against Trump on multiple occasions in a manner that would set him against Gaetz, who is a strong Trump supporter.
Gaetz's ongoing feud with McCarthy has been popular with some conservatives but has also led to his own controversy among other GOP lawmakers.
The Florida congressman's actions have led to some GOP leaders discussing the option to remove Gaetz over his recent effort to oust McCarthy.
Neither option is likely to happen but the infighting is not helping Republicans who need a stronger sign of unity ahead of the 2024 elections as they seek to keep the majority in the House and hope to win back both the Senate and the White House in what could be a rematch of the 2020 election between Trump and President Joe Biden.
