Gaetz suggests ‘bribes’ as reason for not supporting MTG’s move to remove Johnson
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) supported Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) motion to halt the removal of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) citing concerns about potential bribery in a crucial election year. Gaetz highlighted the vulnerability of 2-3 Republicans to resign or support a Democrat due to external influences, emphasizing the delicate political balance. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) backed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) effort to prevent the ousting of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) due to fears of bribery during a critical election year. Gaetz pointed out the susceptibility of 2-3 Republicans to outside pressures, underscoring the precarious nature of the political climate.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) voted to table ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) ouster of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), though for an unexpected reason.
Gaetz said in a post on X that he “voted to table the motion for one principal reason – with a two seat majority in an election year I believe 2-3 Republicans could be susceptible to bribes to resign or even vote for a Democrat.”
.@mtgreenee made a truthful, compelling case against Mike Johnson.
She should be commended for this work.
I voted to table the motion for one principal reason – with a two seat majority in an election year I believe 2-3 Republicans could be susceptible to bribes to resign or…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) May 8, 2024
Greene’s motion to vacate Johnson was denied 359-43, with seven lawmakers voting present. Eleven Republicans voted against tabling the motion, and Democrats largely supported Johnson.
It’s a new paradigm in Congress.
Nancy Pelosi, and most republicans voted to keep Uniparty Speaker Mike Johnson. These are the eleven, including myself, who voted NOT to save him. pic.twitter.com/8HnfDQ7lBe
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 8, 2024
Gaetz’s words appear to signal that he is worried that if Johnson is voted out, a few Republicans could be swayed to act in support of a Democratic speaker. That speaker would likely support any legislation against former President Donald Trump.
Despite voting against Greene’s measure, calling it a “truthful, compelling case” against Johnson, he said, “She should be commended for this work.”
The Florida congressman finished his post with a call to put Trump back into the White House.
Gaetz and Greene are both hard-line members of the Republican Party, often disagreeing with more centrist lawmakers on their side of the aisle.
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Gaetz previously led a group of House Republicans in ousting then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year, though Gaetz had a significantly more contentious relationship with McCarthy.
Gaetz is up for election in 2024 and will face a McCarthy-endorsed primary challenger in Aaron Dimmock.
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