Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump is making it clear that he intends to be a major player in the House of Representatives moving forward, whether as a placeholder speaker or assisting in the selection of a new one. He has announced that he will be paying a visit to Capitol Hill next week for the House speaker election, and if House Republicans are deadlocked, he is willing to step in as speaker temporarily. Trump claims that he has been asked to do so because he is regarded as a unifier with many friends in Congress.
Trump opens door to serving as temporary House speakerhttps://t.co/cQbsQereht pic.twitter.com/ukh6FDq9xY
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 6, 2023
While some House Republicans are excited about the possibility of Trump’s involvement, not everyone is celebrating. Representative Thomas Massie pointed out that Trump previously supported House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s attempt to pass the $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package without a quorum present, which disqualifies him from being speaker according to Massie. However, there are Republicans who believe that Trump should be the only choice for speaker because he is the leader of the party and the only person they can trust to “Save America.”
There is a potential obstacle for Trump though. The Republican conference has a rule that states if a member of leadership is indicted of a felony, they must step aside. Trump currently faces four indictments with over 90 criminal charges. However, if he is acquitted, he can resume the position. Members of the House Republican Conference also have the power to change the conference rules.
Regardless of whether Trump becomes a candidate for speaker or not, he is expected to have a significant influence on the selection process. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, seen as a top contender for speaker, had a positive conversation with Trump but did not reveal whether the former president supports him. It is clear that anyone vying for the role of speaker will need Trump on their side, as he has already demonstrated his influence over the House Republican Conference in various ways. Other potential contenders for the speaker job include House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Representative Kevin Hern, both Trump allies.
