SPEAKER TRUMP? Why Gaetz’ Idea Is a Winner for the GOP

Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida has pledged to support former President Donald Trump to become Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The freshman member of the House made the comments on Saturday at the 45th President’s “Save America” rally in Sarasota, Florida.

Trump expressed his appreciation as he introduced Gaetz saying, “A friend of mine, a great guy. He’s fighting, fighting, fighting. I guess they don’t like people that do that. He’s somebody who’s very special in so many ways, and he’s a very brave guy: Matt Gaetz.”

Geatz declared, “After the next election cycle when we take back the House of Representatives, when we send Nancy Pelosi back to the filth of San Francisco, my commitment to you is that my vote for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives will go to Donald J. Trump.”

While the idea may sound far-fetched, the move would actually make a lot of sense. There is a common misconception that someone must be an elected member of the House to qualify to serve as Speaker. However, the Constitution does not explicitly state that to be the case.

While many members have cast their votes for non-members in the past, every Speaker to date has been a member. So, a Trump speakership would be truly historic.

But how realistic is the prospect? Democrats currently hold a slim majority of nine seats. All but ten House Republicans stood united in Trump’s defense during his second impeachment. So, if the GOP can pick up 20 seats in the 2022 midterm elections, this scenario will become a real possibility. They flipped 16 in the 2020 Election and the opposing party typically performs very well during midterms.

In all likelihood, they will need less than 20 because most, if not all, of the anti-Trump members like Liz Cheney will surely lose their primary elections to Trump-backed challengers. Consequently, Republicans will only need about 10 seats to retake the majority. In fact, the Speaker is allowed to vote so for legislative purposes, Trump would effectively bring an extra seat with him.

Of course, it’s ultimately a strategic decision that “45” will have to make himself. But assuming the office of Speaker would make sense on both fronts for him; maintaining a strong presence on the national stage, and advancing critical aspects of his agenda like election integrity and border security.

As the presiding member of the House, the Speaker is the highest-ranked member of the legislative body where all tax and spending bills originate. They maintain power over the rules of the House, appoints committee members, and have the influence to largely decide whether specific legislation lives or dies.

“Speaker Trump” could also spearhead the establishment of select committees to investigate the 2020 Election and the “Russian collusion” conspiracy that special prosecutor John Durham has failed to deliver a report on thus far.

Furthermore, it would send a strong signal to the Trump-centered base that the Party is united behind the “America first” agenda which would serve as a boon to Republican fundraising and volunteer efforts.

While many conservatives are looking forward to “Trump 2024,” cries of “Trump 2022” would mobilize the 75 million Americans who voted for him in 2020 and deliver a sizable majority that could lay the foundation for Republican wins in Congress and the White House.