Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) mentioned that he expects Ukraine aid, which he does not support, to be approved, but he is not in favor of removing Mike Johnson at the moment.
The Washington Post National Security journalist John Hudson shared:
I just talked to Matt Gaetz, who just finished a call with Speaker Johnson. Gaetz said he now believes that Ukraine aid will be approved — something he has been trying to prevent for a long time. He expressed disappointment considering his significant role in delaying the aid until now. “This was complete surrender.”
When asked if he would try to remove Johnson, Gaetz said he still has “concerns that a motion to vacate” would lead to a Democratic House speaker.
The motion to vacate only works if Democrats oppose the speaker. The motion to vacate was successful against Kevin McCarthy because McCarthy deceived Democrats, excluded them from the process, and believed he could satisfy the MAGAs to stay in power.
Mike Johnson sees Democrats as adversaries in a civil conflict, but he at least recognizes that he needs Democratic support to achieve anything, and has no issue with depending on Democratic votes to maintain the speakership.
Gaetz’s concerns about the motion to vacate resulting in a Democratic speaker are somewhat valid. The Republican majority will soon be reduced to just one vote, meaning that electing Hakeem Jeffries as speaker would only require a couple of House Republicans to grow tired of the chaos and be willing to collaborate with Democrats in a coalition House.
The Putin GOP will soon face a major defeat, which is a loss for democracy, the United States, and the people of Ukraine.
