The “Speaker” of the American House of Representatives, Republican Kevin McCarthy, at the Capitol in Washington, October 2, 2023. ANNA MONEYMAKER / AFP
The two men had a chance to clash back in January when Matt Gaetz tried everything to prevent Kevin McCarthy from being elected speaker of the US House of Representatives. On Monday, October 2, Trump’s elected official from Florida, who represents a hard right, filed a motion to remove the president – also a Republican – from the lower house of the US Congress.
The procedural maneuver, rarely used in the history of the U.S. legislature, follows Congress’ passage of a temporary government budget on Saturday that was rejected by many conservative elected officials.
The proposal, introduced by Matt Gaetz, is likely to trigger a showdown in the House of Representatives in the coming days. “Continue!” Mr. McCarthy immediately replied in a defiant tone, in a message on X (formerly Twitter).
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In particular, Matt Gaetz accuses Kevin McCarthy of having reached a “secret agreement” with President Joe Biden about a possible financial framework for Ukraine in the middle of the budget negotiations. However, the right wing of the Republican Party strongly opposes releasing additional funds to Kyiv and believes that these funds should instead be used to combat the migration crisis at the US-Mexico border.
Democratic support could save McCarthy
Given the very narrow Republican majority in this institution, this group in the House of Representatives has de facto veto power over a large number of files. Kevin McCarthy, a 58-year-old speaker, was forcibly elected in January based on that very narrow majority. To gain access to the “climax” — after four days of debate, three nights of negotiations, and fifteen grueling rounds of voting — he had to make key concessions with around twenty Trump officials, including the possibility that each elected official would have the power to vote a voter to convene to vote to remove him.
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This fratricidal initiative did not surprise Kevin McCarthy, who said Saturday he was aware he was risking his seat. “You know what, if I have to risk my position to defend the American people, I will,” he assured.
Matt Gaetz, at the Capitol in Washington, October 2, 2023. JONATHAN ERNST / Portal
In order to pass Matt Gaetz’s proposal, a majority vote in the House of Representatives is required. To keep his seat, the Republican president may have to rely on the votes of Democratic elected officials. However, nothing has yet been decided on the latter. Joe Biden’s party is currently discussing whether or not Kevin McCarthy should be saved.
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