Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) called the idea of moving forward with a motion to remove current House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) “absolutely stupid.”
Mr. Gingrich argued that he did not believe another Republican could garner 218 votes to replace Mr. Johnson and that the chamber would be engulfed in further chaos.
“That would be absolutely stupid,” Gingrich said. In an interview with Politico Published on Friday. “My question is, ‘Please show me the 218 you have for someone.’ Otherwise, what you’re doing is making us look like idiots for three weeks.” Because it will. [Rep. Matt] gates [R-Fla.] I managed to do it. ”
The former speaker was referring to Gaetz’s motion to resign, which led to the firing of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October and paralyzed the House for three weeks as it struggles to choose a new leader.
“It was so bad that it took McCarthy 15 votes to ultimately win, but then he turned around and destroyed his speakership and threw the entire party and the entire House of Representatives into it. [chaos]” Gingrich said.
Some Republican members of Congress have also voiced their dissatisfaction with Mr. Johnson. Two Republicans, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia) and Rep. Thomas Massie (Kentucky), said they supported the motion to vacate Mr. Johnson’s post. So far no motion has been triggered.
Gingrich emphasized the responsibilities that House members have as elected officials and said House Republicans do not appear to have a majority that can effectively govern.
“Remember, this is not a game at a PTA meeting,” he said. “This is the House of Representatives. It has serious constitutional duties. We live in a dangerous world, and we seem to be ridiculously unable to govern ourselves.”
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