A Republican who retired after voting to impeach Donald Trump wouldn't rule out serving as a compromise choice for House speaker, but the former president put the kibosh on that talk.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), who chose to retire after his district was redrawn, told NBC News that he would consider serving as speaker if Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) couldn't get the necessary 218 votes and another candidate failed to emerge, but Trump quickly attacked as another round of voting began in the House.
"The single WORST person the Republicans could have as Speaker would be Fred Upton, almost worse than a Democrat," Trump complained on Truth Social. "Remember, he QUIT when I wouldn’t endorse him. STONE COLD LOSER!"\u201cThis hour before next Speaker vote \u2014>\n\nNBC: \u201cYou wouldn't rule out if there was a consensus among Democrats & some Republicans to turn to you in need of a Speaker of the House, you wouldn't rule out & potentially serve?\u201d\n\u00a0\nFred Upton: \u201cI have not ruled it out.\u201c\u201d— Vaughn Hillyard (@Vaughn Hillyard) 1672846442
