Gaetz Votes For Donald Trump As Speaker Of The House

During the seventh round of voting for Speaker of the House, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) threw an unlikely name into the running — former President Donald Trump.

In a historic moment, Gaetz voted for Trump in the contentious speakership battle.

The battle for the speaker’s gavel is in its third day, and the drawn-out process has caused turmoil within the Republican Party.

While it appears that a significant majority of Republican voters want a change in leadership away from the establishment GOP that has disappointed them over the years, most House Republicans are continuing to unite behind establishment Republican leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Meanwhile, at least 20 House Republicans have stood firm throughout the process against McCarthy. Gaetz, along with the other holdouts, voted for different candidates in opposition to McCarthy, initially forcing a second vote earlier this week — which is something that has not happened in the U.S. in 100 years.

As part of his continued fight against McCarthy’s speakership, Gaetz also sent a letter to the Architect of the Capitol on Tuesday questioning why the California congressman was allowed to occupy the Speaker’s office despite not holding the position — even suggesting that he could be declared a “squatter.”

Now, Gaetz is taking his opposition to McCarthy a step further. Rather than voting for GOP lawmakers for the House Speaker position as he has in previous votes — such as candidates that have been in the running including Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) — he stepped up on the House floor and declared his vote for Trump.

While Trump is not a member of Congress, it has been decided that the House Speaker does not technically have to be a member of the House.

Meanwhile, Trump has actually thrown his support behind McCarthy — much to the disappointment of his base.

According to comments made on the House floor by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), another congresswoman who has refused to vote for McCarthy, Trump personally called the GOP holdouts to convince them to vote for the California congressman for Speaker.

Instead of acquiescing to who she describes as her “favorite president,” Boebert argued that Trump should speak with McCarthy and tell him that he should “withdraw” because he does not have the votes.

Gaetz has also denounced Trump for his decision to stand behind McCarthy, calling it “the worst Human Resources decision President Trump has ever made.”

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