With Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) forced to abandon his bid for House speaker after a negative vote from the Republican conference, the GOP faces the prospect of a free-for-all of new speaker candidates. But one potential key candidate stands out as a strong contender: Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), who previously led the National Republican Congressional Committee and currently serves as House Majority Whip.
However, The Messenger reports that loyalists of former President Donald Trump don't want to see Emmer as speaker — and will work behind the scenes to kneecap his prospects.
"Emmer, the number three Republican leader of the House, has started to make calls about a potential speakership bid, according to two sources with knowledge of the plans. But conservatives aligned with Trump, including their media darling Tucker Carlson, are lining up to crush Emmer's bid for speaker if he decides to run," reported Stephen Neukam. Trump has resented Emmer for years, the report noted, because Emmer "voted to certify the 2020 election results, bucking pressure from the former president and his allies to overturn Joe Biden's victory" and also "reportedly implored candidates to not 'be distracted' by Trump and, instead, stick to focusing on policies that matter to voters," during the 2022 election cycle, which saw Republicans underperforming expectations even as they managed to capture a narrow majority.
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"Tom Emmer has a long track record of expressing various degrees of disgust for President Trump and his supporters," said a person in Trump's inner circle. "An Emmer speakership is something that won’t go over well in our circles ... he can expect a tumultuous speakership. That’s the last thing the conference needs right now."
Jordan, who previously received Trump's endorsement, took the nomination after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) bowed out, but repeatedly failed to win floor votes of the full House as several Republicans refused to back him.
Tensions were further inflamed as supporters of Jordan anonymously sent harassment and threats to members of Congress who did not support his candidacy, and even their families.
