Some far-right Republican members of the House say they want Donald Trump to become the next speaker after Kevin McCarthy’s stunning ouster on Tuesday threw the body into chaos.
GOP Reps. Troy Nehls (Tex.), Greg Steube (Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor-Greene (Ga.) all tweeted in support of Trump becoming speaker, while Jim Jordan (Ohio) told Fox News that if Trump wants to be speaker “that’s fine, too.”
Fox News host Sean Hannity claimed Trump “might be open” to the idea.
There is no rule saying the speaker must be a member of the House, although every speaker so far has been.
But there’s a big problem with the GOP plan to make Trump the first non-member to wield the gavel: Their own rules.
Rep. Sean Casten (D-Il.) gave his Republican colleagues a reminder of Rule 26, which was adopted in January and states that any GOP leader indicted of a felony with a potential prison sentence of 2 years or more needs to step aside:
Trump has been indicted on 91 felony charges, many of which carry potential sentences far above 2 years.
By late Wednesday, “Rule 26” was trending on X, formerly known as Twitter.
That’s not the only kink in the plan.
House speaker is a labor-intensive job. Trump, on the other hand, is better known for spending as much time as he can playing golf. During his four-year presidency, Trump spent nearly 300 days on the golf course, as the former president’s critics noted on X:
I am willing to bet that Republicans will try to ignore House Rule 26 the way they ignore all other inconvenient rules, regulations, and realities since Trump bought their souls. pic.twitter.com/pO3XRKdUwi
— Windthin~Rebel Scum & Snark Jedi 🏳️🌈🌊🇺🇦🌻🐀 (@windthin) October 4, 2023
If Trump is Speaker, it’ll be like his Covid press conferences. He’ll never stop talking and nothing will get done. GOP governance will be even worse than it is now. But TV will love it for the entertainment value. bleh https://t.co/AKi4s4a3UW
— Robert E Kelly (@Robert_E_Kelly) October 4, 2023
Per current house rules anyone indicted for a felony cannot serve in a leadership position. So first they need a new speaker, then a rule change, then that speaker to step down before this pipe dream can be a reality. https://t.co/gczCqeaxir
— Robert Reid (@rdreidjr) October 4, 2023
Donald will not replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker.
Being Speaker requires work.
—
I’m working to expose Donald. He hates me for it. Support me by joining my newsletter. Link in bio. pic.twitter.com/jQ1zvgWcbo
— Mary L Trump (@MaryLTrump) October 4, 2023
The only way Trump would be speaker is if someone else does all the work. He has NEVER worked a day in his life and that includes the 4 years he squatted in our WH.
Hair and makeup until noon.
Lunch
10 minute briefing
12 hours of bully tweeting https://t.co/PFfsuLthXe
— DC/PA Gal 🟧🟦🇺🇸🏳️🌈🇺🇦 (@FloridaGal0814) October 4, 2023
It would be really funny if they put the most chaotic person on earth in charge of procedural issues. Republicans, as a party, would implode faster than ever. https://t.co/MfHhjAgzXC
— Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) October 4, 2023
This post was modified on 2023-10-04 09:15:16