Trump Jr. slams Republicans who oppose a McCarthy speakership

December 4, 2022

Donald Trump Jr., the son of former President Donald Trump, just slammed those Republicans who are standing opposed to having Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) be the next House speaker. 

Trump Jr. did so in a Twitter message that he posted on Friday.

"So, in their quest to 'own the establishment' by stopping Kevin McCarthy, Andy Biggs and others are actually in effect empowering those who impeached Donald Trump," he wrote.

"This is a Democrat dream come true for a GOP Congress," Trump Jr. added. "Genius move guys."

What's going on:

Trump Jr. linked to his message a report indicating that the D.C. establishment was floating the idea of having Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) be the next House Speaker.

Politico reported:

One name being floated by Democrats to Republicans as someone they should put up if McCarthy folds or can’t secure 218: Retiring Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), one GOP lawmaker in the group told POLITICO on Friday.

This followed reports that not all House Republicans are on board with McCarthy, the current House Minority Leader, becoming the next speaker, and that's because they don't have confidence that he can stand up to the Democrats and the D.C. establishment.

McCarthy, to be clear, has already won the speakership nomination from the House GOP, but 31 House Republicans voted in opposition. That's problematic because one needs 218 votes from the entire House to become the next speaker, and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) reports that there are about 20 House Republicans who are "pretty hard nos” to a McCarthy speakership.

Enter Upton

This is why the establishment appears to be considering alternatives to McCarthy, and Upton is one name that has popped up.

This is troubling to Republicans because Upton is not exactly the most staunch Republican. Just recently, in fact, he said that he is “very troubled” by the direction that the Republican Party has taken. And, on top of this, Upton is one of those few House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump.

Upton, it should be noted, is leaving Congress, but that doesn't mean he can't become House speaker. For his part, Upton has said that he supports a McCarthy speakership.

He "would be a disaster"

Trump, himself, spoke out about the possibility of an Upton speakership on Saturday.

Trump wrote:

Rep. Fred Upton, a Pro-Impeachment RINO, would be a disaster for anything having to do with the word Republican, but especially when it comes to Speaker of the House. My record on Endorsements in the General Election was 232-22, and in the Primaries was 98.6%. I would never have endorsed Upton, who quit Congress in the face of a challenge, and that’s not what Republican’s need. A very dangerous game is being played. Peace through Strength!!!

Accordingly, it would appear that both Trump and Trump Jr. believe that it's better for Republicans to unite behind McCarthy than take the chance of ending up with someone like Upton atop the House. It makes sense.

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