House Republicans are not getting along right now.
Matt Gaetz has rejected any insinuations that he harbors ambitions of becoming the House speaker, even as he continues to exert pressure on Kevin McCarthy, a fellow congressman from Florida. Gaetz took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to state unequivocally that he has “absolutely no desire” to supplant McCarthy, even as he threatens to introduce a motion to depose the current California Republican speaker.
According to Newsweek, Gaetz has been criticizing McCarthy and was part of a group of GOP congressmen who abstained from supporting McCarthy’s reappointment as House speaker back in January. His recent threat to table a motion of removal comes in the midst of McCarthy’s ongoing negotiations with Democrats, aimed at averting a potential government shutdown.
Furthermore, Gaetz voiced his discontent over what he perceived as delays in launching an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, which McCarthy finally initiated on September 12, seemingly to placate his staunch GOP critics.
In response to a social media user’s accusation that Gaetz was angling for the role of House speaker, the Florida congressman firmly dismissed the notion. He stated, “I can assure you wholeheartedly that I harbor no aspirations to be the speaker. I hope this allays your concerns.”
On September 12, following the announcement of the Biden impeachment proceedings, Gaetz delivered a speech on the House floor, suggesting that he or another GOP representative might take steps to unseat McCarthy. He asserted, “Mr. Speaker, your actions are not in accordance with the agreement that allowed you to assume this position. The House of Representatives must either bring you into immediate and complete compliance or initiate proceedings to remove you through a motion to vacate the chair.”
Those advocating for Biden’s impeachment have yet to provide substantial evidence to substantiate allegations of corruption against the president. It is improbable that the GOP, which holds a slim majority in the House, would secure the two-thirds majority vote necessary to initiate impeachment proceedings against the president.
In January, Gaetz was among the group of Republicans who refrained from voting for McCarthy’s reappointment as House speaker. Ultimately, McCarthy secured reelection on the 15th attempt, as six Republicans withheld their votes, reducing the threshold required for victory.
As a concession to appease certain members of his party and bolster his reelection bid, McCarthy altered congressional rules to allow a single member to introduce a motion to depose the speaker and trigger a vote for their removal. A simple majority in the House would suffice to unseat McCarthy.
In 2022, Gaetz consistently expressed his support for Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, a founding member of the influential House Freedom Caucus, for the position of House speaker.