Trump Tells Supporters In House: Support McCarthy, You’re Playing A ‘Dangerous Game’

Former President Donald Trump is asking House Republicans to support Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) in his bid for House Speaker. At least five conservative Republicans oppose McCarthy’s speakership.

Trump compared McCarthy’s run to former House Speaker John Boehner‘s 2015 resignation.

“It’s a very dangerous game,” Trump told Breitbart News. “Some bad things could happen. Look, we had Boehner, and he was a strange person, but we ended up with Paul Ryan, who was ten times worse.”

“Paul Ryan was an incompetent speaker. I think he goes down as the worst speaker in history.”

Five conservative Republicans oppose McCarthy’s speakership bid – Reps. Matt Gaetz (Florida), Andy Biggs (Arizona), Ralph Norman (South Carolina), Bob Good (Virginia) and Matt Rosendale (Montana).

Biggs has announced his own bid to become Speaker. Trump still believes the five will bend to his wishes.

“I’m friendly with a lot of those people who are against Kevin. I think almost every one of them are very much inclined toward Trump, and me toward them,” he said.

“You could end up with some very bad situations. I use the Boehner to Paul Ryan example. You understand what I’m saying? It could be a doomsday scenario.”

McCarthy has been negotiating with his detractors behind closed doors. It is believed that McCarthy likely offered earmarks and committee leadership positions to his opposition.  

The Republican Conference holds a slim majority in the upcoming House. Democrats have held the majority since the 2018 midterm elections – they have caucused under the speakership of Nancy Pelosi passing numerous significant bills with the exact same size majority. 

Article by Ben Shimkus