White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre suggested Wednesday that the White House would be OK with former President Donald Trump assuming the role of House speaker — not that this is an actual possibility (more on this later).
She offered up the suggestion after being asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy about whether anybody in the West Wing was “talking about the possibility of Speaker Trump.”
Jean-Pierre replied apathetically.
“This is something for House Republicans to figure out. This is something for them to fix. We’re not going to get involved in the speakership,” she said.
“We don’t care who they, who is in the race or who is out the race. That is not for us to figure out. The president doesn’t have a vote. No one here has a vote. They have to figure this out,” she added.
Listen:
You heard it directly from her — the administration, they “don’t care” who’s appointed speaker, even if it’s potentially Trump.
The former president has for his part been seemingly relishing the prospect of being speaker. So much so that he posted a drawing of himself as speaker to Truth Social late Wednesday afternoon.
Look:
There’s just one problem: House GOP rules state quite clearly that someone who’s been indicted for a felony may not serve as speaker.
“A member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years’ imprisonment may be imposed,” the House GOP’s bylaws state.
Trump, meanwhile, faces four criminal cases, 91 charges, and up to 712 years in prison, meaning he most certainly isn’t eligible.
BIG DEAL – Trump CAN’T be Speaker — because of his indictments.
House Republicans’ own rules require a leader to step aside if indicted for a felony of 2+ years of prison. pic.twitter.com/AqtnGDqewp
— Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) October 4, 2023
But there’s some possible good news.
“Those rules could be altered to make way for Speaker Trump,” the New York Post notes.
However, the paper also cautions, “with his freedom potentially at stake and an election rematch against President Biden possibly in the cards, it appears improbable, for now, that the former commander in chief would take the gavel.”
True.
But when asked about it inside a Manhattan courthouse Wednesday, the former president seemed to downplay the idea of becoming speaker.
“A lot of people have asked me about it. We’re leading by like 50 points for president. My focus is totally on that. If I can help them during the process, I would do it. But we have some great people in the Republican Party. They will do a great job as speaker. I’ll do whatever it is to help but my focus is being president,” he said.
Listen:
BREAKING NEWS: ‘President Trump Responds To Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Attempt To Draft Him For Speaker’
PresidentTrump: “I will do whatever it is to help, but my focus, my total focus is being President and quite honestly Making America Great Again.”
Watch what he has to… pic.twitter.com/GKhozFqgZe— (@Ann_Lilyflower) October 4, 2023
The idea of Trump as speaker has been circulating for a couple of days now. It originally emerged Tuesday when Fox News host Sean Hannity revealed that there was an effort within the GOP to recruit Trump as the next House speaker.
“Sources telling me at this hour some House Republicans have been in contact with and have started an effort to draft former President Donald Trump to be the next speaker,” he revealed on Fox News’s “Hannity.”
“And I have been told that President Trump might be open to helping the Republican Party, at least in the short term, if necessary if it’s needed,” he added.
Hannity tells Jim Jordan House Republicans are trying to draft Trump for Speaker and he’s open to it https://t.co/5FFehfWw3v via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) October 4, 2023
Later during the broadcast, Hannity confronted House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan — who’s since jumped into the speakership race himself — about the matter.
“I’ve now heard from a number of people. I know for a fact Donald Trump has been contacted about possibly him being an interim speaker. Is that a reality?” he said.
“I don’t know. He’d be great, but actually, I want Donald Trump to be the next president of the United States. If he wants to be speaker, great, but I want him to be president of the United States,” Jordan replied.
“He would still run for president. He’s still going to be running for president,” Hannity pushed back.
“That’s where we need him, is at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but if he wants to be speaker then that’s fine too,” Jordan responded.
Despite the legal hurdles preventing Trump from assuming the role of speaker, many Republicans continue to clamor for him to be nominated for the position:
Kevin McCarthy will NOT be running again as Speaker.
I nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the House.
— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) October 3, 2023
.@realDonaldTrump for Speaker
— Greg Steube (@gregsteube) October 3, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.