Newt Gingrich criticized the idea of continuing with the motion to remove current Speaker Mike Johnson, calling it “very unwise.”
Gingrich argued he doesn't think another GOP member could gather 218 votes to replace Johnson, causing more chaos in the chamber.
“It would be very unwise,” Gingrich expressed in an interview with Politico. Newt Gingrich spoke to Politico and said, “My question would be, ‘Show me the 218 you’ve got for somebody,’ because otherwise what you’re doing is putting us through three weeks of looking like idiots — which [Rep. Matt] Gaetz [R-Fla.] managed to do.” Gingrich referred to Gaetz’s motion to vacate, which led to the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October, causing the House to struggle to elect the next leader for three weeks.
Gingrich mentioned the difficulties faced by the House during the process to elect the next leader after McCarthy's removal.
“It was bad enough that it took 15 ballots for McCarthy to finally win. But to then turn and destroy his Speakership, throwing the entire party and the entire House into [chaos],” Gingrich said.
Some Republican House members have expressed frustration with Johnson. Two Republican lawmakers, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.), said they would support a motion to vacate Johnson’s post. The motion has not been triggered, so far.Gingrich emphasized the responsibilities members of the House have as elected legislators and said the GOP members in the lower chamber do not look like a majority that can effectively govern.
“You’ve got to remember, this isn’t some game at a PTA meeting,” he said. “This is the House of Representatives. It has serious constitutional obligations. We live in a dangerous world, and we look like we are absurdly incapable of governing ourselves.”
Gingrich criticized the idea of continuing with the motion to remove current Speaker Mike Johnson, calling it “very unwise.” He argued he doesn't think another GOP member could gather 218 votes to replace Johnson, causing more chaos in the chamber.
